Manu Bhaker Missing from Khel Ratna Nominations Despite Stellar Olympic Performance

 

The year 2024 has been remarkable for Indian sports, with athletes achieving new milestones and making the nation proud. From India’s thrilling T20 World Cup victory to Manu Bhaker’s historic double medal win at the Paris Olympics, the country has much to celebrate. As the government gears up to present the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards, the list of nominees has started to surface.

 

Among the names recommended for India’s highest sporting honor are hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who led the men’s team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar, who clinched gold in the men’s high jump T64 category with an Asian record.

 

However, one notable absence from the list has left sports fans surprised—shooter Manu Bhaker, who made history with two medals at the Paris Olympics. According to reports, the reason for Bhaker’s omission is that she did not apply for the award.

 

While officials from the sports ministry confirmed this, another report suggests that Manu’s family claimed she had submitted her application. In certain cases, the selection committee can recognize an athlete's achievements on its own, even if no application has been submitted.

 

A similar precedent was set earlier when cricketer Mohammed Shami, who didn’t apply for the Arjuna Award, was nominated after the BCCI intervened. The awards committee acted on its own to acknowledge Shami’s contributions.

 

This unexpected turn of events has sparked debate about the nomination process, leaving fans wondering why Bhaker’s exceptional achievements haven’t been recognized in the same way.