One of India’s greatest sportspersons Milkha Singh has recommended the name of 2004 Olympics silver medalist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore to be India’s new Sports Minister. The 81-year-old said that the former double trap shooter, who is presently serving as the Minister of State for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should be put as the chief for resource support and the necessary funding for athletes.
“I have a suggestion, make Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore the Sports Minister and put him in charge with appropriate funding and resource support. Put different individuals as heads for different sports and give them all support to get medals for India. We have the talent in India and with the right effort, I am confident that we can do it,” he said.
He further congratulated Sakshi Malik and PV Sindhu for their performance at the Olympics and added he was a bit more emotional when he saw the two athletes wrap the national flag around them.
“I would also like to congratulate Sakshi Malik and Dipa Karmakar, their parents and coaches for their sacrifices and for proving that with hard work and determination, Indians can excel and this should be an inspiration to our boys as well. You ladies have made India proud and we are grateful to you.
“I had tears in my eyes when I saw P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik drape the national flag around their shoulders after receiving their medals. My wife Nirmal, who was a badminton player herself, joins me in congratulating P.V. Sindhu, her parents and her coach Gopichand for the wonderful achievement,” he said.
The triumphs of Sindhu and Malik have been the shining lights for India in an otherwise slightly disappointing campaign, which has seen many near misses and some major setbacks. With just one day to go for the end of the 2016 Rio Olympics, Yogeshwar Dutt remains the only hope who could help India add another medal to that tally of two medals.
His events will be held on Sunday.
