Khel Ratna Awards: Yogesh Kathuniya Reacts After Delhi HC Asks IND Sports Ministry To Reconsider Paralympian's Candidature

Yogesh Kathuniya has stated that the decision taken by the Delhi High Court to direct a reconsideration of his Khel Ratna Award is a moment of 'hope'. The 27-year-old had approached the High Court after the Sports Ministry had not picked the Paralympian for the elusive award. (More Sports News)

"The decision by the Delhi High Court to direct a reconsideration of my Khel Ratna Award application is a moment of hope, not just for me but for every para-athlete striving for excellence. It바카라™s about more than medals; it바카라™s about equal respect and recognition for the efforts we put in to represent our country.

"I am confident that this scrutiny will uphold the values of fairness and justice, and I am optimistic about the outcome." Kathuniya who spoke exclusively to Outlook Sports on the verdict delivered by the Delhi High Court.

The para-discus thrower, who won silver medals at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, had earlier petitioned the Delhi HC, over not being nominated for the Khel Ratna Award.

A bench of Justice Sachin Datta ordered the selection committee to conduct a fresh scrutiny of Kathuniya바카라™s credentials and take a decision.

The Justice Datta-led Bench added that if Kathuniya is found eligible, then steps will be taken to confer the Khel Ratna Award to him. The 27-year-old had expressed his outrage on social media and questioned the criteria for awarding Khel Ratna to athletes.

Kathuniya, who has bagged six medals at the international level, including two silver medals at the Paralympics, two silver and a bronze at the Para-athletics World Championships, and a silver at the Asian Para Games, was taken aback by the lack of recognition for his achievements.

The 27-year-old Paralympian, who received the Arjuna Award from President Ram Nath Kovind in November 2021, had sought clarification from the Sports Ministry for the decision to overlook him.

"It is a matter with the Sports Ministry but they've not approached me so far. It is clear favouritism, players whose PR is good get the award. They overlook players like us. This kind of behaviour is disheartening for an athlete who has given eight years of his life to the country. Even if I'm playing for myself, I'm representing India. If I lose, India will lose and if I win, India will win," Kathuniya had said on December 28.

"I'll not wait for next year and move to the High Court and file a case. I have the highest aggregate marks and want a written reply as to why I'm not getting it," he had added.

The Khel Ratna Award ceremony will take place on January 17 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.