Rio medallists to be considered for 2016 Khel Rat, Arju awards

New Delhi, May 24: To ensure immediate recognition to the Olympic medallists, the Sports Ministry on Tuesday announced that the Rio Games' medal winners will be considered for this year's Rajiv Gandhi Khel Rat and Arju Awards.

The ministry said the decision has been taken so that athletes need not wait for one full year after their medal-winning performances at the Olympic Games to be held between August 5-21.

The medal winners in individual events who have not been conferred with Khel Rat in the past will be considered for the highest sporting honour.

"Medal winners in team events, who have played stellar roles in the medal won by the team for the country in Rio Olympics 2016 such as number of goals scored, number of goals saved etc., and who have already not been conferred with Arju Award in the past will be considered for Arju Awards," the ministry said in a statement.

As per the existing provisions of the schemes of Khel Rat and Arju Awards, sports achievements of the sportspersons for the last four years preceding the year of award, ie, sports achievements during the period 2011 to 2015 are to be considered. IANS