Manu Bhaker not in Khel Ratna nominees list

Paris Olympics medallist Manu Bhaker’s name has not been included in the list of nominees for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, India's highest sporting honour. A 12-member National Sports Day committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramam, did not recommend the shooter's name for the prestigious award.

While the Sports Ministry reportedly claimed that Manu Bhaker did not apply for the award, Manu Bhaker's father, Ramakrishna, said they applied for the honour and did not hear back from the committee. Notably, Mohammed Shami was honoured with the Arjuna Award earlier this year despite the cricketer not applying for it. The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) intervened and pushed for his case after which the National Sports Award committee took suo moto cognizance.

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar were among the nominees for the Khel Ratna Award.

Speaking to India Today, Ramakrishna said, “What's the point of getting two medals in a single Olympics if you have to beg for awards?” He alleged, “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?”

Manu Bhaker won the Arjuna Award in 2020. She led India's show at the Paris Olympics. The Asian nation won six medals, one short of the record mark from London 2012. Manu won two bronze medals -- one in women's 10m air pistol event and the other one along with Sarabjot Singh in the mixed 10m pistol event.