Udaipur, December 25, 2024 – The name of double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker may be added to the Khel Ratna nominee list, after all. Sources from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have indicated that the shooter’s name has not been excluded for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. According to reports, the nominees list is yet to be finalised and that the Union Minister for Sports Mansukh Mandaviya will oversee the finalisation process.

Despite winning two medals in a single Olympics, the case of Manu Bhaker being overlooked for Khel Ratna, the country's highest sports honour, has been a topic of major discussion the past few days. The controversy started after reports that the ace shooter’s name was not in the initial nominees list. This led to quite a backlash across the country with even her family members questioning her exclusion.

The Ministry now say that the recommendations of the 12-member selection committee have not been finalised and necessary corrections will be made.

Meanwhile, several sportspersons have raised questions about the nomination process for the award. In response, the Ministry of Sports has stepped in for damage control. It has issued directions to improve the award selection process, including setting clear standards for Olympic and non-Olympic years.

Earlier, Manu had responded to news of her exclusion saying, "My performance in the Olympics was better, yet I was ignored, which is not right. The purpose of sports awards is encouragement, provided they are given to the deserving and in a timely manner. In the 2012 London Olympics, I was in sixth place, but the Khel Ratna was given to someone who was in 13th place. Olympic medalists themselves should be recognised."

She later said: “With regards to on-going 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. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected.”

Manu has also applied for the country's third and fourth-highest civilian awards, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, along with the cash award for her 106 international medals.

Yesterday, the Rifle Shooting Association said that the application process for the award is being completed. The list of national award winners is expected to be released today.

With Media Inputs