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- Published: December 25, 2024 08:08
New Delhi: Two-time Olympic medalist, Manu Bhaker has grabbed the headlines after the Indian sports shooter found her name missing from the list of nominated athletes for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The Khel Ratna is awarded to athletes with exceptional performances in the calendar year.
Naturally, it was a big surprise for every sports fan to see Bhaker’s name missing after the heroics she pulled off in Paris in the history of the Indian Olympics since the country got independence. Manu became the first Indian athlete since independence to win two Olympic medals in a single edition of the Games, the Sports Ministry came under scrutiny. However, Manu Bhaker has now said there might have been a lapse on her part and that ‘it is being corrected.’
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Bhaker admitted her fault and took the blame on her shoulders
Meanwhile, Bhaker’s coach Jaspal Rana has come out all guns blaring to castigate the Indian government and remarked:
I will hold all of them responsible. 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…
“What else do you expect?…”: Bhaker’s father fumes at the Indian government
Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker’s father, Ram Kishan did not hold back his exasperation as he lashed out at the Indian government and remarked:
What else do you expect my child to do for the country? She has won two Olympic medals in a single edition. Yet, she is ignored. I regret putting her into shooting; perhaps she should have been a cricketer.
His remarks highlight a recurring sentiment among athletes and their families about the disparity in recognition between cricket and other sports in India. While cricket dominates the limelight, Olympic sports often struggle for acknowledgement, even when athletes achieve unprecedented feats.
