Ace Indian shooter and double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker has been part of headlines in the present time due to her controversial snub from the nominee list of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker became the first ever female Indian shooter to win a medal in the Olympics and accomplished the milestone at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker also joined the likes of Olympians such as PV Sindhu and Yogeshwar Dutt to win more than one Olympic medal. Manu’s father expressed disappointment after his daughter missed out on not making it to the nominee list for the Khel Ratna Award. Bhaker’s father Avinash Kumar stated that if his daughter had been a cricketer then she would have received the award. On the other hand, the Sports Ministry defended the decision by stating the ace Indian shooter hadn’t applied for the award using the government portal.
Manu Bhaker’s First Response Over Khel Ratna Award Controversy
— Manu Bhaker🇮🇳 (@realmanubhaker) December 24, 2024
Manu Bhaker has now broken silence on the issue and shared a post on her official social media handles. Bhaker stated that her main aim is to win medals for the country, however, she added that awards and recognition keep her motivated. Manu stated that there might have been some lapse from her end while applying for the award and is being corrected. The statement read, “With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious khel ratna award- I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country. Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my
goal. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected. Irrespective of the award I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this matter.”
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After the controversy sparked, there are reports that the sports ministry are reevaluating the applications and Manu Bhaker’s name might appear in the final list.
