Paris Olympics medallist Manu Bhaker has been left out of the nominees for India’s top sports award, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. A 12-member committee for National Sports Day, led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramam, did not suggest the shooter’s name for the esteemed award.
Although the Sports Ministry allegedly stated that Manu Bhaker did not submit an application for the award, her father, Ramakrishna, asserted that they did apply for the recognition and received no response from the committee.
In an interview with India Today, Ramakrishna remarked, “What’s the use of winning two medals at one Olympics if you have to plead for recognition?”
“One government official is making the decision while the committee members remain quiet and do not express their views.” I do not comprehend. “Is this how you’re motivating athletes?” her father interjected.
“We submitted our application for the award but have received no response from the committee.” “Why do parents motivate their children to play; they ought to urge them to pursue careers as IRS officers in the government,” he stated.
Manu Bhaker received the Arjuna Award in 2020. Interestingly, Mohammed Shami received the Arjuna Award this year even though the cricketer did not submit an application for it. The BCCI stepped in and advocated for his case, leading the National Sports Award committee to take suo moto notice.
Manu Bhaker showcased India’s talent at the Paris Olympics. The Asian country secured six medals, just one shy of the record set in London 2012. Manu secured two bronze medals — one in the women’s 10m air pistol competition and the other with Sarabjot Singh in the mixed 10m pistol event.
Manu, who became the symbol of Indian shooting team’s disappointment at the Tokyo Olympics, made a strong comeback to secure two medals in Paris. Recently, she took aim at trolls who mocked her for displaying her Olympic medals at every promotional event she attended after her achievements at the Games.
