Manu Bhaker Snubbed For Khel Ratna: Sports Ministry Scrambles To Act

The exclusion of double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker from the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award list has ignited widespread controversy, forcing the sports ministry to take action. The ministry is now contemplating using its executive powers to nominate Bhaker for the prestigious award, citing her remarkable achievements in the world of sports, as reported by Times Od India.

Historic Achievements Ignored

Manu Bhaker, a standout in Indian shooting, clinched two bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, one in the women's 10m air pistol and the other in the mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh. These back-to-back victories made her the first Indian to achieve such a feat in a single Olympic edition. However, her name was notably absent from the Khel Ratna recommendation list, despite her extraordinary performance.

The Ministry's Response

In light of the backlash, the sports ministry is exploring provisions under the National Sports Day awards scheme, which allows the government to nominate up to two deserving athletes for the Khel Ratna, even without formal applications. Sources suggest that Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will review the list of nominations on December 25, including Bhaker's case. The ministry has already been informed of the oversight, and there are discussions to rectify it, as reported by Times Of India.

Federation's Role and Discrepancies

Interestingly, the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) failed to nominate Bhaker for the Khel Ratna, a responsibility typically upheld by the respective national sports federations. The NRAI has since approached the ministry to include Bhaker's name, affirming that she had submitted her application for consideration. Despite this, the selection committee overlooked her achievements, raising questions about the nomination process.

Manu Bhaker's Continued Struggles

Bhaker's father expressed his discontent, questioning why his daughter's monumental achievements were disregarded. In an emotional statement, he said, "I regret putting her in shooting; if she were a cricketer, all the accolades would have come her way." Despite the snub, Bhaker has also applied for other prestigious honors like the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, as per media reports.

A Deeper Issue with the Selection Process

Manu Bhaker's exclusion is part of a larger issue, as other Olympic medallists, such as Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh, were also overlooked for the Khel Ratna and recommended for the Arjuna award instead. The sports ministry's actions in addressing these discrepancies will likely determine the credibility of the Khel Ratna award in the eyes of athletes and the public.

In the face of mounting criticism, the sports ministry is under pressure to correct its oversight and honor one of India's brightest sporting talents.