Manu Bhaker Felicitated by Velammal Academy: Paris Olympic-Medallist Shooter Receives Special Memento, Breaks A Leg With Students

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Chennai, Aug 20: The Velammal Academy in Nolambur, Chennai, on Tuesday (August 20) honoured double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker for her remarkable performance at Paris 2024.

The event was a celebration not only of Bhaker's achievements but also of the institution's commitment to nurturing young sporting talent through the establishment of a substantial sports scholarship fund.

Manu Bhaker Honoured in Chennai

The ceremony began with Bhaker being presented with a special memento - a gun-shaped trophy - symbolising her shooting prowess. She was also draped in a traditional garland, signifying respect and admiration.

Following the presentation, the Velammal Academy management distributed scholarship awards worth an impressive Rs. 2.07 crore to deserving students within the group's schools.

Bhaker had the honour of handing over the cheque to the scholarship recipients. The moment followed with a group photograph, capturing Bhaker's interaction with the young scholars.

She was also seen launching the 'Velammals vision for Olympic medal 2032'. In addition to the formalities, the event saw a lighter, more celebratory side as Manu Bhaker joined a few students for a dance session. They performed to the popular Bollywood hit "Kala Chashma," showcasing a fun and engaging side of the champion shooter.

During the event, Bhaker also shared her thoughts on various topics. When asked about chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa, she acknowledged having seen him compete, reflecting her awareness of other young Indian talents. She similarly mentioned having heard of renowned actor Vijay when the topic was brought up.

Bhaker's reflections on her journey and achievements were particularly poignant. She emphasized that her success was not the result of individual effort alone but rather a collective endeavour.

"One person cannot be responsible for my victory," she stated. "I think it's an entire team effort that leads me to the podium and makes me able to reach the podium for the country." She credited her family, her mother, her coach, her sponsors, the Sports Authority of India, and the TOPS Scheme for their significant roles in her success.

She also addressed the broader context of Indian sports, acknowledging the progress made but also highlighting the need for continued improvement. "India is progressing but we have a long way to go," Bhaker noted.

She pointed out that while other nations have advanced further in various sports, there is still potential for India to excel. "We have all seen the medal tally and we definitely know there is a huge scope for improvement," she added.

Bhaker suggested that a more proactive approach to identifying and nurturing young talent from an early age, similar to practices in other countries, could significantly boost India's performance on the global stage.

"There is one thing that is different that I have seen in India and in other nations. They start from a very young age. They take Children from a very young age and in our country it is more like the interest of the kids and then when they want to start they initiate.

"Then the parents also support, then the government comes in the picture once they are starting to do good. I think that kind of program needs to be more prominent in our country to be able to do even better and win more medals," she said.

The event at Velammal Academy was a testament to Manu Bhaker's impact both as a sports icon and as a role model, inspiring the next generation of athletes and setting a benchmark for future sporting endeavours.