According to reliable sources, Manu Bhaker’s name would probably be added to the final list when Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya makes a decision on the matter in a few days, following a commotion caused by her exclusion from the list of candidates suggested for the coveted Khel Ratna award.
Only Harmanpreet Singh, the captain and drag flicker of the India men’s hockey team, and Praveen Kumar, the gold medallist in para high jump at the Paris Paralympics and the silver medallist in Tokyo three years prior, were recommended for the nation’s top sports award, though there was no official announcement.
After making history by taking home two medals from the Paris Olympics earlier this year, Bhaker’s name was regarded as a formality, was not considered in the list. Although a ministry official stated that “this is not the final list, there is a process involved,” the sports ministry and the 12-member awards committee were criticised.
In addition to former women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal, boxer Vijender Singh, and cricket legend Anil Kumble, the awards selection committee is led by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramanian.The committee is expected to take into account applicants, but it also has the authority to talk about names that are not on that list if necessary.
In a letter to Secretary-Sports Sujata Chaturvedi on Monday, the Shooting Federation (NRAI) urged the ministry to take Bhaker into consideration for the Khel Ratna on “exceptional grounds.”
“We’re hoping the ministry understands our point of view and gives her the award she so thoroughly deserves,” NRAI president Kalikesh Singh Deo told HT, adding, “We don’t even know if she applied or not, but if she did, I don’t think the committee had any reason to not consider her. If she didn’t apply, there’s nothing the committee could’ve done.”
In her initial remarks on the matter on Tuesday, Bhakar attempted to resolve the matter. “Regarding the current controversy surrounding my candidacy for the most coveted Khel Ratna award, I would want to clarify that, as an athlete, it is my responsibility to represent my nation. Although they are not my objective, awards and accolades help me stay motivated.”
“I think there may have been a mistake on my part when I submitted the nomination, and it is being fixed. Regardless of the honour, I will continue to be inspired to bring home more medals for my nation. We kindly ask everyone to refrain from speculating on this issue,” Bhaker added.
She took home bronze in the individual 10m air pistol and 10mair pistol mixed team (with Sarabjot Singh) events in the Paris Olympics.