The exclusion of Manu Bhaker, India’s shooting sensation, from the nomination list for the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has stirred significant controversy and raised questions about the processes behind recognizing sporting excellence in India. Despite her exceptional performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured two bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events, Bhaker’s omission from the award consideration has led to widespread outrage. This oversight not only casts a shadow on her personal achievements but also highlights the systemic issues in India’s approach to recognizing Olympic athletes.
At just 22, Manu Bhaker’s accomplishments at the Paris Olympics were historic. She became the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single Olympic edition, a feat that placed her at the forefront of global shooting. These victories were not mere personal triumphs; they represented the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her sport. Bhaker’s performance has inspired countless young athletes across India, signaling a bright future for shooting sports in the country.
However, despite this groundbreaking achievement, Manu Bhaker’s name was glaringly absent from the Khel Ratna nominations, India’s highest sporting honor. This omission has sparked a heated debate about the credibility and transparency of the selection process for national awards. Many within the sporting community have questioned how such a remarkable athlete could be overlooked, especially when her achievements were among the most significant in Indian sports in recent years.
Bhaker’s father, Ram Kishan, publicly expressed his deep disappointment, questioning what more his daughter could have done to earn national recognition. “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,” he lamented. This statement underscores the deep frustration felt by many athletes, particularly in Olympic disciplines, where recognition often pales in comparison to that given to cricketers, who dominate India’s sporting landscape.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports defended its decision, claiming that Bhaker’s application for the Khel Ratna was not submitted via the official portal. However, this argument seems to overlook the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself had previously praised athletes like Bhaker for making the country proud. Bhaker, however, has contested this claim, asserting that she did indeed submit her application. Her family has also provided evidence of her consistent efforts to apply for the award over the years. Additionally, an anonymous source within the ministry revealed that the final list of nominees had not yet been finalized, and that Bhaker’s inclusion was still under consideration. This ambiguity has only intensified concerns about the transparency and fairness of the selection process.
The controversy has also highlighted broader issues in India’s sports bureaucracy. Bhaker’s father criticized the role of bureaucrats in the selection process, arguing that the system is riddled with inefficiencies that hinder the recognition of athletes outside cricket. “We form committees, but it’s the bureaucrats who call the shots. This is not how sports should function,” he said. His remarks reflect a growing frustration among athletes and their families about the lack of support for Olympic sports in India, which often receive insufficient recognition despite exceptional performances on the world stage.
In response to the uproar, reports suggest that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is reconsidering the nominations, and there is still hope that Manu Bhaker will be included in the final list. However, this controversy serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by athletes in Olympic disciplines, where recognition often comes after prolonged struggle. As Bhaker’s father poignantly put it, “There is no worth in playing Olympic sports in India if athletes have to beg for recognition.”
The incident underscores the urgent need for reform in the selection process for national sports awards. Transparency, consistency, and inclusivity must be at the core of these processes to ensure that athletes like Manu Bhaker receive the recognition they truly deserve. Such reforms would not only honor current achievements but also inspire future generations to pursue excellence in sports beyond the limelight of commercialized disciplines like cricket. The Prime Minister’s intervention is crucial to address this systemic issue and restore faith in the country’s sporting recognition system.
