Double Olympic Medallist Manu Bhaker NOT Among Nominations For Khel Ratna Award - Report

History-making double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker's name is reportedy missing from the list of athletes nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour of India.

Ace shooter Manu Bhaker scripted history earlier this year by becoming the first Indian since Norman Pitchard in 1900, to win two medals at the same Olympic event. The 22-year-old won a bronze in women's 10m air pistol event before clinching the copper metal in the mixed team event.

Her performances at the Olympics earned Bhaker the Sportswoman of the Year award at the Indian Sports Honours, but it is quite surprising that her name did not make the list for the biggest sports honour of the country.

According to a report in Times of India, Sports Ministry has claimed that the ace Indian shooter did not apply for the award, but sources close to Manu's family have said the Paris Olympics 2024 double medal winner has indeed sent in her application.

Even if Manu had not applied for the award, the selection comittee could have considered nominating her name after her double Olympic bronze achievements in Paris. Last year, even cricketer Mohammed Shami had not applied for the Arjuna, but was eventually given the award on BCCI's insistence.

Manu, who was conferred with the Arjuna award in 2020, had allegedly asked for the Khel Ratna after her double olympic medal win, posting on Social Media: "Tell me, Do I deserve the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. Thanks". The post on X was eventually deleted after the shooter faced some flak.

The report further added that Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who led the team to a bronze at the Paris Olympics, as well as para athlete Praveen Kumar, who won gold in the men's high jump T64 class with an Asian record at the Paris Paralympics, have been nominated for Khel Ratna this year.

Harmanpreet and Praveen's names were reportedly recommended by a 12-member selection committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramanian.