Goyal in soup again, refers Sindhu, Sakshi Malik as Rio 'gold medallists'

Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel suffered yet another foot-in-mouth moment on Sunday when he referred silver and bronze medallists P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, respectively, as "Gold Medallist" despite the fact that he stayed at Rio with Indian players throughout the Olympics.

"Today the Khel Ratna awardee, Dhyan Chand awardees, Dronacharya awardees, Tenzing Norgay National Adventure awardees met the Prime Minister. In that we also had two Rio 'gold medallists' P.V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik," Goel told the media here.

"Today in 'Mann Ki Baat' address Prime Minister has encouraged the players of RIO Olympics and other players. I think their dedication for their games deserves a national welcome. We will keep taking initiatives that will take sports forward. We will also prepare for the upcoming Olympics for 2020, 26, 28," he added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Sindhu and Malik at his residence.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Modi in his Mann ki Baat address said India's daughters have made the nation proud at the just concluded summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"We won Rio Olympics medals. Our daughters proved themselves once again, that they are not less than anyone. Sports needs motivation and the public is the best entity to do it. Dipa Karmakar stood at 4th position...it was great. It is very good to know that our nation wants us to focus on extracurricular activities," he added.

He said that the nation should be proud of the achievements of Karmakar, P. V. Sindhu and Sakshi Malik, but strive at the same to take this momentum of glory forward.

He said that the aim of the task force would be to assess the performance of Indian sportspersons at the Rio Olympics as also to recommend overall strategy for sports facilities, training, selection procedure and other related matters.

As per media reports, the task force has been asked to submit its report to the Prime Minister's Office by the end of September.

It may be recalled that India sent a 119-strong contingent to the Rio Olympics, and came back with only two medals, a silver and a bronze. P V Sindhu secured a silver medal in badminton and Sakshi Malik won the bronze in 58-kg freestyle wrestling. Dipa Karmakar finished fourth in gymnastics vaults final.