Admitting that "there has been a lapse, maybe on my part" while filing nominations, Paris Olympics double medallist Manu Bhaker on Tuesday (December 24, 2024) broke her silence on the raging controversy regarding her exclusion from the Khel Ratna award recommendations. (More Sports News)
Manu Bhaker Reacts On Khel Ratna Controversy, Calls It 'Lapse, Maybe' On Her Part
The 22-year-old Manu Bhaker, who is independent India's sole double medallist from a single Olympics, said her aim was to perform for the country, whether she got an award or not
The pistol ace took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to make her stance clear. She wrote: "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."
The 22-year-old said her aim was to perform for the country, whether she got an award or not. "Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal. 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 added.
Bhaker's reaction comes close on the heels of news that the sports ministry was thinking of nominating her by using its executive powers vested in the provisions of the National Sports Day awards scheme. A Times of India report stated that the ministry could invoke Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the ‘Scheme for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award' for that.
This was after her personal coach Jaspal Rana, as well as father Ram Kishan Bhaker criticised the sports ministry and the selection committee for overlooking her name, despite her tremendous achievements.
"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," Rana told PTI Videos.
While the ministry reportedly claimed that Bhaker did not apply for the award, her father Ram Kishan, a chief engineer in Merchant Navy, said the youngster had followed the due process. "It's really appalling. Why should a top sportsperson apply or request for an award? Awards should come naturally and automatically. How can it be ignored? There has to be some system in place," Rana added.
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A 12-member selection panel, headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramanian had made the decision to not nominate Bhaker. Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para athlete Praveen Kumar have been recommended for the Khel Ratna.
Soon after her Paris 2024 exploits, Bhaker was trolled on social media for an alleged tweet asking for the Khel Ratna from the government. She had purportedly posted on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Tell me, Do I deserve the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. Thanks'. The post was said to be deleted later.
(With PTI inputs)
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