2024 has been a standout year for Indian sports, with Manu Bhaker making history at the Paris Olympics. Bhaker won two bronze medals, becoming the first female shooter from India to secure an Olympic medal. She took bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event and added another bronze in the mixed 10m air pistol team event with Sarabjot Singh, making her the first Indian to win two medals in a single Olympic Games since independence.
However, despite her remarkable achievements, Bhaker’s name is missing from the list of nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor. Reports suggest that Bhaker did not apply for the award, but sources close to her family contend that she had indeed submitted her application.
The omission of Bhaker from the nominations has sparked controversy, particularly given her comeback after a disappointing Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Bhaker’s resilience and success, which include gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Asian Games, have made her a prominent figure in Indian shooting. Other nominees for the Khel Ratna this year include Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the men’s hockey team, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar, who won gold at the Paris Paralympics. Many hope that Bhaker’s exceptional achievements are recognized in future awards.
