Finally, Manu Bhaker To Get Khel Ratna Award

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2024 on Thursday. Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Praveen Kumar have been honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Recently, there was a huge furor after some news reports claimed that Manu's name was missing from the list of athletes recommended for Khel Ratna. Manu's father Ram Kishan and coach Jaspal Rana were furious over the snub. However, Manu Bhaker admitted that there might have been a lapse on her part while filing for the nomination. 

The Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour for sportspersons in India. The sports ministry also named 32 athletes, including 17 para-athletes, for Arjuna awards. 

The 22-year-old Bhaker became independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events in August. In the same Games, Harmanpreet led the Indian hockey team to its second consecutive bronze medal.

The 18-year-old Gukesh, on the other hand, became the youngest ever World champion while also helping the Indian team win a historic gold in the Chess Olympiad last year.

The fourth recipient will be para high-jumper Praveen, who was crowned the T64 champion in the Paris Paralympics. The T64 classification is for athletes who have one or both legs missing below the knee and rely on a prosthetic leg for running.

"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17th January 2025 (Friday) at 1100 hours," the sports ministry said in a press release.