Paris Olympic 2024 double medal-winning shooter Manu Bhaker has been mired in controversy over the last few days after her name didn’t figure in the list of athletes eligible to win Khel Ratna awards next year. Manu was the first Indian athlete since Independence to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games.
Manu Bhaker acknowledged on Tuesday that there might have been an oversight on her part regarding the filing of nominations for this year’s National Sports Awards, amid controversy over her exclusion from the list of Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees.
A day after the sports ministry clarified that the awardees’ list was yet to be finalized, the 22-year-old pistol shooter took to social media to address the issue, stating that her focus remains on performing for the country, regardless of whether she receives an award.
“With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award – I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected,” Bhaker wrote on X.
— Manu Bhaker (@realmanubhaker) December 24, 2024
Her statement came after her father, Ramkishan Bhaker, and personal coach, Jaspal Rana, criticized the sports ministry and the selection committee for overlooking her achievements. They claimed the omission had affected her morale and drive to excel.
“Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal,” Manu went on to add.
“Irrespective of the award I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this,” she said.
Rana and Ramkishan lambasted the process, pointing out her historic accomplishments. However, the sports ministry later indicated that the final list is still pending and Manu Bhaker’s name is likely to be included when the awardees are officially announced in a few days.
It is understood that men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medalist high jumper Praveen Kumar have been shortlisted for the Khel Ratna, alongside 30 Arjuna awardees, including 17 athletes from para disciplines.
The awards selection committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramanian, includes notable figures like former women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, boxer Vijender Singh, and cricket legend Anil Kumble. While the committee primarily considers applicants, it also has the authority to include exceptional candidates not on the application list.
Manu Bhaker’s exclusion raised eyebrows, given her historic performance at the Paris Olympics. She became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic edition, securing bronze in both the 10m air pistol individual event and the 10m air pistol mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh.
Despite the controversy, Bhaker reiterated her commitment to representing the country, emphasizing that awards, while an honor, do not define her dedication to the sport.
