Sharad Kumar among four para-athletes recommended for Khel Ratna; Avani Lekhara in contention for Arjuna Award

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has recommended the names of shooter Manish Narwal, high jumper Sharad Kumar, shuttler Pramod Bhagat and javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2021. All four brought laurels for India in the recently concluded Tokyo Paralympics.

Deepa Malik, the President of the PCI, said winning the award will motivate athletes to perform well in the Paris Games in 2024.

"Our players did so well in this paralympic and we are proud of them. These awards will motivate them to put more effort in the next Games and they deserve that too as they have made the nation proud," Deepa Malik told ANI.

Deepa further informed that javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara's names have been recommended for Arjuna Award.

"Sumit Antil and Avani Lekhara will go for Arjuna Award this time, both of them have made the nation proud with their medals," she said.

Last month, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur said the medal winners in the Tokyo Paralympics will be rewarded at this year's National Sports Awards and hence the ceremony was postponed.

( With inputs from ANI )