India will aim at 25 medals in 2020 Olympics

New Delhi - Sports Minister Ajay Maken said Thursday that India will aim at winning 25 medals in the 2020 Olympics.

“Looking at India’s performance in this year’s Olympics, we will keep a long term aim and try to go for 25 medals in 2020,” Maken said here.

He was speaking at a ceremony organized by the central government to felicitate the London Olympic medallists.

India recorded its best Olympic haul of six medals in London.

While Vijay Kumar (shooting) and Sushil Kumar (wrestling) won silver, Saina Nehwal (badminton), M.C. Mary Kom (boxing), Yogeshwar Dutt (wrestling) and Gagan Narang (shooting) got bronze medals.

At Thursday’s event here, the six were presented cash awards.

Young sportspersons who play under the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) “Come and Play” scheme presented flowers and cheques to the six.

Other members of the Indian Olympic contingent were also present.

“The Olympians are our country’s heroes. They are our treasure. The country is proud of them and of their achievements,” Maken said.

“It is not just the athletes but their coaches also who we are grateful to, without whom we could not have (won) six medals.”

The Olympians are also to meet President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi.