Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has been in the spotlight for her omission from the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna award. Amid the ongoing controversy, she took to social media to clarify her stance, stating that as an athlete, her priority is to play and perform for her country. She also emphasized that awards are not her ultimate goal, and despite the disappointment, she remains motivated to win more medals for India. The criticism from her coach and father highlights the frustration and disappointment with the sports ministry and selection committee, who overlooked her record-breaking achievements at the Olympics.
Manu Bhaker's Omission from Khel Ratna Nomination Sparks Controversy
Indian shooter Manu Bhaker has recently become the subject of controversy following her omission from the list of nominees for the prestigious Khel Ratna award. Despite her remarkable achievements in shooting, she was not included among the five nominees for the highest sporting honor in India.
Background
Manu Bhaker is a renowned shooter who has represented India at multiple national and international competitions. At the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she won a gold medal in the 10m air pistol event. In 2019, she became the youngest Indian woman to win a gold medal at the ISSF World Cup. Bhaker was also part of the Indian team that won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Omission from Khel Ratna Nomination
In June 2022, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna award. Bhaker's name was conspicuously absent from the list, which included athletes such as javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, wrestler Ravi Dahiya, and weightlifter Mirabai Chanu.
Reaction to Omission
Bhaker's omission from the list of nominees sparked widespread criticism from the shooting community and her supporters. Her coach and father, Ramkishen Bhaker, expressed disappointment and frustration with the selection committee's decision, arguing that Bhaker had achieved more than many of the nominees.
Bhaker's Response
In response to the controversy, Bhaker took to social media to clarify her stance. She stated that her priority as an athlete is to play and perform for her country. She emphasized that awards are not her ultimate goal, and that she remains motivated to win more medals for India.
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