Manu Bhaker to Her Father After Khel Ratna Omission: “I Regret Going to the Olympics”

India’s most prestigious accolade for sports excellence is the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Manu Bhaker, an Olympic medalist, made history in 2024 by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. However, controversy arose this week when her name was not included in the list of nominees for the prestigious Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Reacting to the controversy, Bhaker said, “I believe I deserve it; let the nation decide.” Despite her historic achievements, including winning bronze in the 10-meter air pistol individual event and the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event, her exclusion has caused an uproar within her family.

Manu’s father, Ram Kishan, expressed their disappointment in an interview with The Times of India.He revealed, “Manu confessed to me, ‘I regret going to the Olympics or winning medals for the nation.’”. I probably shouldn’t have become an athlete.’” He also voiced his regret for introducing her to shooting. “I should have made her a cricketer. Then, she would have received all the awards and recognition. She achieved what no one else has—winning two Olympic medals in the same edition. What more can you expect from my daughter? The government should acknowledge her efforts,” he said.

Allegations of Bias and Process Issues

Ram Kishan also suggested irregularities in the award selection process. Speaking to Telecom Asia, he stated, “If Manu, despite her stellar performances, is not recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, I’m forced to believe something is amiss in the committee, or they were following certain directives.”

He added, “If we want to make India a hub for sports, Olympic medalists and athletes, in general, must be honored and encouraged, not demoralized by such decisions.”

A Question of Application

According to reports, the Ministry of Sports claimed that the 22-year-old shooter did not apply for the Khel Ratna Award this year. However, her family disputed this. Ram Kishan, a chief engineer in the Merchant Navy, insisted that Manu had followed the proper procedure. “Over the last two to three years, she has regularly submitted applications for prestigious honors such as the Khel Ratna, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan. I have evidence of this. I’m confident she applied this time too, but I can’t confirm it right now as I’m at sea,” he told PTI.

He stressed, “The committee should have taken her achievements into account, even if she hadn’t applied.”

The Broader Impact

Manu’s father lamented the lack of recognition for Olympic athletes in India. “Playing for the country, winning medals, and then begging for acknowledgment—this makes no sense,” he said.

Ministry’s Response

Meanwhile, a senior official from the Ministry of Sports told PTI that the final list of nominees is yet to be decided. “The names haven’t been finalized yet. According to the source, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya is set to review the recommendations within the next day or two, and there is a high likelihood that her name will feature in the final list.

The award selection committee, a 12-member panel chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice V. Ramasubramanian, includes prominent former athletes like women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal. The final list is expected to be unveiled in a week, leaving hope that Manu Bhaker might still receive her due recognition.