Sania Mirza’s highest sports honour, Khel Ratna, in jeopardy

Sania's recommendation is being challenged by Indian Paralympian HN Girisha

The sports ministry’s decision to confer the Khel Ratna award to Sania Mirza has been challenged by Paralympian HN Girisha in the Karnataka High Court.

The Paralympian’s petition was accepted on Wednesday and consequently the ministry was asked to review its decision.

The award is usually conferred on the National Sports Day of India celebrated on August 29. If Sania loses the award, it will be a blemish on an otherwise remarkable year in which she won the 2015 Wimbledon doubles championship along with partner, former Grand Slam singles champion, Martina Hingis.

Read: Sania Mirza wins India's highest sports honour

Girisha, who won the silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics, however, said that he was a more deserving contender of the country’s highest sporting award.

"Going by the ministry's performance-based points system introduced to pick the award winner, I'm the top contender with 90 points. But Sania does not figure anywhere near the top," said Hassan-born Girisha, as quoted by NDTV.

"I understand Sania has won Grand Slam titles but according to the ministry notification, only performances at the Olympics, Paralympics, Asiad, Commonwealth Games and World Championships from 2011 will be considered."

According to sports secretary Ajit Sharan, sports minister Sarbananda Sonowal had recommended the Khel Ratna for Sania - making her only the second tennis player to be commended for the honour. Leander Paes, who has a total of 16 grand slam titles to his name, had been given the award in 1996.

Prior to her doubles win with Martina Hingis, Sania became world number one doubles player.