Khel Ratna nominees List: Star India shooter Manu Bhaker who won two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024 has not been recommended for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. The two names recommended by the 12-member selection committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramaniam are India hockey men's team captain Harmanpreet Singh and men's high jump T64 class Paris Paralympics gold medallist Praveen Kumar. Reacting to the snub, Manu's father Ram Kishan Bhaker expressed his disappointment.
"What's the point of getting two medals in single Olympics if you have to beg for awards," Ram Kishan said in an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak.
"One government official is deciding and committee members are silent not giving their opinion. I don't understand. Is this the way you are encouraging athletes?" he asked.
"We had applied for the award but have heard nothing from the committee .
"Why parents are encouraging their kids to play they should push them for becoming irs officers in government."
Manu Bhaker's monumental Olympics feat
Manu became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medla in shooting. She won the bronze medal in women's 10m air pistol event. She joined forces with Sarabjot Singh to win bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event as well. The 22-year-old is the first Indian athlete since independece to win two medals at a single Olympics edition.
Manu's next target
After winning two bronze medals, Manu has her eyes set on converting it to a gold at the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028.
"For me the target will be the journey to gold in the Olympic games, so the next thing will be LA for me," Manu said at Economic Times' World Leaders Forum 2024 after returning from Paris. "However, I am on a short break for now. It's been eight and a half years that I took a break from my sport. So right now is the time when I'm like 3 months, 4 months (break) I will take and then start back with my training again for LA 2028."
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