After a week of confusion, Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has been officially added to the list of recipients for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, as confirmed by the sports ministry on January 2. This announcement comes after a controversial period where Bhaker was initially overlooked for the nomination, sparking discussions about the selection process.
In light of the situation, Bhaker acknowledged that there may have been a lapse on her part that contributed to her exclusion from the nominations. At just 22 years old, she has already made a significant mark in Indian shooting history, winning multiple medals in major competitions.
Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh criticized the nomination process, accusing it of favoritism for initially ignoring Bhaker. This statement highlights the ongoing concerns regarding transparency and fairness in the selection of award recipients in Indian sports.
In a conversation with ANI, he said, “The officials discuss who to award Bharat Ratna or Khel Ratna…You must have seen Manu Bhaker’s name was not there even after winning two medals and after the movement was started she did get included…Officials sit and try to include their favourite people in the list of Khel Ratna.”
Manu Bhaker’s accomplishments include two Olympic medals, seven medals at the Asian Games, and a remarkable tally of 21 medals at the World Championships and World Cup events. Notably, she made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics by becoming the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, securing bronze in both the 10m pistol and the mixed team event.
Alongside Bhaker, other Khel Ratna recipients include D Gukesh, Haranpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar. They are set to receive their awards from the President of India during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, marking a significant recognition of their contributions to Indian sports.
