Double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker has found herself at the center of controversy after reports surfaced indicating that her name was missing from the list of nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The Khel Ratna is awarded to athletes who demonstrate exceptional performances, and Bhaker’s omission has drawn scrutiny towards the Sports Ministry, especially given her historic achievement as the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games.
— Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) December 24, 2024
Acknowledgment of Possible Oversight
In response to the controversy, Manu Bhaker took to social media to address the issue, stating that there may have been a “lapse” on her part regarding the nomination process. “With regards to the 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. Awards and recognition keep me motivated but are not my goal. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination, which is being corrected. 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 matter,” she wrote in a post on X.
Coach Criticizes Sports Authorities
Meanwhile, Bhaker’s coach, Jaspal Rana, has criticized the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India, and the National Rifle Association of India for allegedly “ignoring” Bhaker’s credentials for the Khel Ratna award. “I will hold all of them responsible. How can anyone even say Manu did not apply? She made history by becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in the same Olympics. Her name should have been there automatically. Don’t the people at the helm know who Manu Bhaker is and what her credentials are? This humiliation might just affect her progress,” Rana told media.
Rana expressed concern over the new requirement that athletes must apply directly for awards, calling it demeaning and not in the best interest of sports. The current ministry norms allow athletes to self-nominate rather than relying on federations and other institutions, although the selection committee can still consider names not among the applicants.
Family’s Support and Due Process
While the ministry claimed that Bhaker did not apply for the award, her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, asserted that his daughter had followed the due process for nomination. The situation continues to unfold as the sports community reacts to the implications of this oversight.
