Para Shuttler Raj Kumar Presented with Arjuna Award by Sports Minister

The Sports Ministry of India has ultimately made its decision to bequeath one of the most prestigious awards for superiority in sports to the Indian Para-badminton champion Raj Kumar.

The shuttler who hails from Punjab has awarded Arjuna Award by Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, the Union Sports Minister of India also with the presence of the Sports secretary Rahul Prasad Bhatnagar.

CONGRATS to Para Shuttler Raj Kumar for the prestigious Arjuna Award!

Raj Kumar made us proud with a Gold in the 2015 BWF Para Badminton World C'ships in England.

Best of luck for the future, young man! pic.twitter.com/MDRREMT66N

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) September 19, 2018

A Times of India report says that two years ago, the selection committee of the Sports Ministry denied the shuttler two years back, for Arjuna award as the committee failed to recognize his contribution in the sport of badminton and his credentials were also ignored. Later the shuttler approached to the Delhi High Court on the move of government bestowing award to a Para-athlete having the score of 50 out of 80, instead of Kumar who holds a super score of 75.5 out of 80. The Delhi High Court announced its verdict in favor of the Para-badminton athlete Kumar.

As quoted in the News World India, the judgment was, "Kumar got a communication from the ministry informing him that he will be presented with the award on September 19. The athlete, together with his close friends reached Delhi and received the prestigious award."

After receiving the award, Kumar expressed gratitude towards his coaches.

The outstanding Para-badminton athlete Kumar Raj Kumar along with his partner Parul D Parmar prevailed gold in the Mixed Doubles category at the BWF para-badminton World Championships 2015 held in Buckinghamshire, England.

Delhi: Para-Badminton player Raj Kumar receives Arjuna Award from Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore says, "I would like to thank my coaches who have helped me at every stage." pic.twitter.com/H9AfqLEgH4

— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2018