Finally! Paralympic medallists to get equal treatment, to be considered for Khel Ratna

New Delhi: The Union Minister for Sports Vijay Goel on Sunday retracted from his earlier statement saying Paralympic athletes will get equal treatment, on par with Olympians, and will be eligible for the Khel Ratna from next year onward.

Goel made the announcement in Hyderabad today while visiting the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy, according to reports. The minister tried to play down his earlier remark, wherein he said that there were no policies in place for Paralympians receiving the Khel Ratna, India's highest honour for sportspersons.

He reportedly asked Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu what would she prefer, "an Olympic medal or a Khel Ratna Award”. To that, Sindhu, said, she prefers the medal.

“Now you got the answer from the athlete herself,” the Minister said.

"Paralympic athletes brought a huge honour to the country. We are proud of them and they will be rewarded in the same manner like Sindhu and Sakshi [Malik]," he added.

India have won four medals at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, two gold, one silver and one bronze.