New Delhi: Indian shooter Manu Bhaker’s father has lashed out at the National Sports Day committee for not considering his daughter for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratana award, India’s highest sporting honour despite her heroics at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker made India proud by clinching two bronze medals at the Paris Games.
She won bronze medals in the women’s 10m air pistol and the mixed team 10m air pistol events to become the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. She also scripted history by becoming the first Indian female shooter to win a medal at the Olympics. However, she has been snubbed from the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna award.
As per a report in India Today, the 12-member National Sports Day committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramam has not recommended Bhaker’s name for the prestigious award. The Sports Ministry has reportedly claimed that the double Olympic medallist didn’t apply for the award. However, her father has rubbished the claims.
What’s the point of winning two medals if you have to beg for awards: Manu Bhaker’s father
Manu Bhaker’s father Ramakrishna Bhaker lashed out at Justice Ramasubramam-led committee for ignoring his daughter and said they did apply for the Khel Ratna award but didn’t hear back from the committee. He also questioned the nomination process and said what is the point of winning medals for the country if an athlete has to ‘beg for awards’.
“What’s the point of getting two medals in a single Olympics if you have to beg for awards?,” said Ramakrishna Bhaker.
“One government official is deciding, and committee members are silent, not giving their opinion. I don’t understand. Is this the way you are encouraging athletes?
“We applied for the award but have heard nothing from the committee. Why are parents encouraging their kids to play; they should push them to become IRS officers in government,” he added.
22-year-old Bhaker, who headlined India’s show at the Paris Olympics with her twin medals in shooting, was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2020. She was considered a favourite to receive the Khel Ratna award after her heroics at the Paris Games earlier this year. However, a controversy erupted after her name was snubbed from the list of nominees.
Harmanpreet Singh nominated for Khel Ratna
Indian men’s hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para high jumper Praveen Kumar have been nominated for the Khel Ratna Award. Harmanpreet has been rewarded for his excellent performances for the Indian hockey team at the Paris Olympics 2024. The skipper finished as the highest goal-scorer for India to power them to back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics.
Praveen won gold medals in the men’s high jump T64 category at the Paris Paralympics with a record 2.08m jump.
Manu Bhaker has reportedly been snubbed from the list of nominees for the prestigious Khel Ratna award despite winning twin medals at the Paris Olympics 2024. The shooter’s father has lashed out at the National Sports Day committee for not considering her daughter for the award. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
