Manu Bhaker Khel Ratna Award Controversy: Olympian Shooter Issues Clarification - Full Statement

Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker made headlines after her name was reportedly missing from the nominations for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Despite being the first Indian athlete to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games, this omission has raised concerns about the nomination process.

Manu Bhaker addressed the controversy with grace, stating in a post on X:
"With regards to the ongoing issue of 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 keep 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."

Coach Jaspal Rana Blames Authorities

Manu’s coach, Jaspal Rana, criticized the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India, and the National Rifle Association of India for ignoring her credentials. He said,
"How can anyone even say Manu did not apply? She made history by becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic medals in the same Olympics. Her name should have been there automatically. Don’t the people at the helm know who Manu Bhaker is and what are her credentials? This humiliation might just affect her progress."
Rana also highlighted concerns over the self-nomination process, calling it demeaning and not in the best interest of athletes.

Khel Ratna Award: Family’s Disappointment

Manu’s father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, expressed his frustration, stating that the family regrets choosing shooting over cricket due to the lack of recognition for her achievements.
"I regret putting her in the sport of shooting. I should have instead made her a cricketer. Then, all the awards and accolades would have come her way. She won two Olympic medals in a single edition, no one has ever done that. What else do you expect my child to do for the country?"
He also shared Manu’s disheartened sentiments:
"I shouldn’t have gone to the Olympics and won medals for the country. I shouldn’t have become a sportsperson."

Khel Ratna Award: Nomination Process Under Scrutiny

The Sports Ministry claimed that Manu did not apply for the award, a statement contradicted by her father, who insisted that all due processes were followed. The controversy has brought attention to the self-nomination system, which allows athletes to apply directly for awards but has been criticized for its shortcomings.
This situation underscores the need for a more transparent and athlete-friendly process to recognize and reward exceptional performances.