Olympic bronze medallist Manu Bhaker has found herself at the centre of a controversy after her name was missing from the initial list of nominees for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sporting honour.
The omission has drawn sharp criticism from her family and coach, even as the sports ministry clarified that the list is not final and remains under review.
What happened?
The controversy began when reports surfaced that Bhaker, who became the first Indian athlete to win two medals at the Paris Olympics, had not been included in the provisional list of Khel Ratna awards.
Bhaker’s stellar performance at the Olympics in July—clinching bronze in both the 10m air pistol and the 25m pistol events—had cemented her status as a national hero.
According to PTI sources, the nomination process had its hiccups. Athletes are required to apply for the award through their respective federations, and Bhaker’s name was missing from the official submissions received by the ministry.
A ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “The list that has been circulated is not the final one. Manu Bhaker’s name is under consideration, and the selection committee will review it in its upcoming meeting.”
The selection committee, chaired by retired Supreme Court judge V. Ramasubramanian, includes athletes such as hockey star Rani Rampal and boxer turned BJP politician Vijender Singh.
Manu Bhaker’s response
“There seems to have been a lapse, maybe on my part, while filing the nomination,” Bhaker said, suggesting a clerical or procedural error might have led to her exclusion. “This is being corrected,” she added, reassuring her supporters that efforts were underway to rectify the situation.
The 21-year-old Olympian downplayed the alleged snub, saying: “Awards are important, but they do not define an athlete. I have always focused on representing my country and bringing glory through my performances.”
‘I feel I should have made Manu a cricketer instead of a shooter,’ says father
But Manu Bhaker’s father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, did not hold back. He accused the system of failing his daughter.
“She has achieved something extraordinary—winning two medals at the Olympics is no small feat. What more does an athlete have to do to be recognised?” he questioned.
Ram Kishan Bhaker’s pointed towards the alleged unequal sporting bias in India. “Had she been a cricketer, the story would have been different. Sometimes, I feel I should have made Manu a cricketer instead of a shooter,” he added.
Coach Jaspal Rana’s critique
Manu’s long-time coach, Jaspal Rana blamed administrative lapses within the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) for Bhaker’s omission.
“How can someone of Manu’s calibre be left out? This is sheer negligence,” he said.
Rana also emphasised that Bhaker’s achievements deserved far greater recognition than they had received. “Manu has not only brought glory to the nation but has consistently inspired countless young athletes. This is not just about one award—it’s about valuing merit.”
An indictment of the system
The incident has sparked a broader debate about how non-cricketing athletes are treated in India. The sports ministry’s ‘provisional list’ defence has done little to quell the criticism. The situation also raises questions about the nomination processes employed by federations like the NRAI.
Bhaker exclusion serves as a glaring reminder of the systemic inefficiencies plaguing Indian sports administration.
Bhaker’s supporters on social media see it as emblematic of a larger problem where cricket often takes centre stage and the recognition of Olympic athletes like Bhaker appears to remain unnoticed.