Karnataka High Court today found substance in the claim of Para-athlete H N Girisha who challenged the recommendation of Sania Mirza for the prestigious Khel Ratna award. Justice A S Bopanna, who heard the case on a petition filed by Girisha issued notices to sports ministry and the tennis ace and directed the respondents to reply to the notices within 15 days. <br/><br/>Girisha, a Paralympic Games medallist, said in his plea that he deserved to win the coveted award more than Sania because he was the top contender with 90 points against his name and the tennis star was far behind him as per performance-based points system. <br/><br/>Sania, who won her first women's doubles Grand Slam title by lifting the Wimbledon crown with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June, was recommended for the country's highest sporting honour by a government-appointed selection panel. The Sports Ministry has also given its approval on Sania getting the coveted award.<br/><br/>The President of India will confer Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand Awards to various sportspersons in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan on August 29.