Following a week of uncertainty, Manu Bhaker was ultimately included among the recipients of the esteemed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 2. The sports ministry's confirmation arrived after a period of controversy during which Bhaker had not been initially nominated.

The two-time bronze medallist from the Paris 2024 Olympics subsequently acknowledged that a potential oversight on her part may have contributed to her initial exclusion.

WFI president addresses the controversy surrounding Manu Bhaker's Khel Ratna award

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Sanjay Singh has criticized the process that initially overlooked Manu Bhaker in the award nominations, alleging it reflects a bias towards certain individuals.

In an interview with ANI, he stated, “The officials deliberate on who should receive the Bharat Ratna or Khel Ratna... It is evident that Manu Bhaker's name was absent despite her winning two medals, and only after public outcry was she included... Officials tend to prioritize their preferred candidates for the Khel Ratna awards.”

At just 22 years of age, Bhaker has already established herself as one of the most accomplished shooters in Indian history. In addition to her two Olympic medals, she has secured seven medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships, along with 21 medals at the World Championships and World Cup events. At the Paris Olympics, she made history as the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympic medal, earning bronze in the 10m pistol event, followed by another bronze in the 10m pistol mixed team event, making her the first Indian to achieve two medals in a single Olympic Games.

The other recipients of the Khel Ratna award include D Gukesh, Haranpreet Singh, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar. They are scheduled to receive their awards from the President of India during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on January 17, as reported.

Bhaker made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, where she encountered disappointment and a controversy regarding a pistol malfunction. She secured a quota place for India at the Paris 2024 Olympics by finishing fifth in the 25m pistol event at the 2023 Asian Shooting Championship. Additionally, she is a gold medallist in the women’s 10m air pistol event at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics.

Read Also: India's Ambitious Multi-City Plan for the 2036 Olympics

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!