Manu Bhaker, the twin medal winner from the Paris Olympics 2024, is devastated to see her name left off from the shortlisted candidates for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award. Bhaker, 22, won bronze in both the individual and mixed 10m air pistol competitions, making her the first Indian athlete to win multiple medals in the Olympics since Independence. Bhaker narrowly missed out on a hat-trick, finishing fourth in the 25m pistol event, but nevertheless created history for India.
However, Bhaker was mysteriously removed off the list of shortlisted applicants that the government was given by the sports ministry. All seven Indian athletes who brought home medals from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics were given the Khel Ratna. However, neither Bhaker nor the majority of medal winners from Paris were subject to this rule; only the Olympic and Paralympic athletes Harmanpreet Singh and Para-athlete Praveen Kumar were selected from the 12 shortlisted candidates.
A source close to the Times of India said, “Manu said she had applied on the portal. If that was the case, then the committee must have considered her name. Whatever the situation, the federation has approached the ministry and requested the officials to include her name”.
Although a candidate should ideally submit their name to be considered for the award, but given the gravity of Bhaker’s achievement in Paris, she should have been an automatic pick. However, after applying for the award, Manu was not shortlisted, that devasted her and her father.
Manu and Her Dad Upset
Manu’s father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, told the media publication, “The government must recognise her efforts. I spoke to Manu, and she was disheartened by all this. She told me, ‘I shouldn’t have gone to the Olympics and won medals for the country. In fact, I shouldn’t have become a sportsperson’,”.
The criticism isn’t limited to Bhaker. The decision has been criticized by many Indian sports enthusiasts, which has compelled the sports ministry to reevaluate it. According to media report, considering everything that has happened in the past 24 hours, Bhaker might not receive the Khel Ratna Award after all.
Aside from the Olympics, Bhaker’s accomplishments are maybe unmatched. Manu has earned 17 gold medals, six silver medals, and five bronze medals between the Tokyo and Paris Games in a variety of shooting competitions, including the Junior World Championships, the Shooting World Championship, the 2023 Asian Games, and many more.
Read Also: Gujarat: Electricity Bills To Drop As Govt Reduces Fuel Surcharge To Rs 2.45 per unit
