Indian double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker finds herself in the spotlight after reports surfaced that her name was missing from the list of nominated athletes for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Despite her historic feat as the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games, the omission has raised questions about the nomination process and the role of sports authorities.
Manu Bhaker addressed the issue in a measured statement, emphasizing her commitment to the sport over accolades. “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,” Bhaker wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). She urged the public to avoid speculation regarding the matter.
— Manu Bhaker (@realmanubhaker) December 24, 2024
Coach Jaspal Rana Criticizes Sports Authorities
Bhaker’s coach, Jaspal Rana, expressed strong criticism towards the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI). He accused them of failing to recognize Bhaker’s achievements and questioned why her name was not automatically included.
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“This humiliation might just affect her progress,” said Rana in an interview. He also criticized the policy requiring athletes to self-nominate for awards, calling it “demeaning” and not in the best interest of sports.
Conflicting Claims on Nomination Process
While the Sports Ministry maintains that Bhaker did not apply for the award, her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, refuted the claim, stating that she had followed the proper procedure. The controversy highlights the challenges and potential lapses in the nomination and selection processes for national awards.
The Khel Ratna Award
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna is India’s highest sporting honor, awarded to athletes for exceptional performances on national and international platforms. Under the revised rules, athletes are required to self-nominate for the award, though the selection committee can consider non-applicants based on merit.
The omission of Bhaker’s name has drawn widespread attention, with calls for a review of the nomination process. As the matter unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring that deserving athletes receive due recognition for their contributions to Indian sports.
