Manu Bhaker on Khel Ratna controversy: There’s been a lapse in filing nominations, may be on my part

Manu Bhaker on Khel Ratna controversy: There’s been a lapse in filing nominations, may be on my part

Manu Bhaker, the double bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, acknowledged a potential oversight on her part in the nomination process for this year’s National Sports Awards. This comes amid widespread criticism surrounding her exclusion from the Khel Ratna awardees. 1

A day after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports intervened to address the controversy following the selection committee’s unexpected decision, the 22-year-old shooting star took to social media to clarify her stance.

“With regards to ongoing 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,” Bhaker wrote on X.

Bhaker stated her aim is to perform for the country whether she gets an award or not.

“Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal,” she asserted.

“Irrespective of the award I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this,” she said.

This was after her personal trainer Jaspal Rana and father Ramkishan Bhaker lambasted the sports ministry and the selection committee for overlooking her despite her monumental achievements.

The youngster is the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.

She won her bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team (with Sarabjot Singh) events in Paris.