Indian compound archer Jyothi Suresh Vennam has written to Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, urging consideration for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. This comes in the wake of reports that Paris Olympics double bronze medallist Manu Bhaker’s name was not reviewed by the award committee due to a nomination error.
Vennam, 27, has had an exceptional career, highlighted by a hat-trick of gold medals in Archery World Cups, including her victory in the women’s recurve event at the Archery World Cup Stage 1 in Shanghai earlier this year. She is only the third woman in the world to achieve this feat.
In her letter, Vennam stated:
“I am V. Jyothi Surekha, an Arjuna Awardee in Archery. There has been speculation regarding the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award-2024, and I am writing to seek your kind consideration. I have been representing the Indian Archery Team for 14 years and have won 62 medals. I have achieved 3 gold medals at the 2022 Asian Games and a total of 5 medals at the Asian Games. I have also secured 8 medals at the World Championships and many more at World Games and World Cups. This year, I was ranked World No. 2 in my category.”
Vennam highlighted her outstanding achievements, including three gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, where she became the individual women’s compound champion and contributed to India’s gold medal victories in the women’s team and mixed team events.
She pointed out that her total score of 132 points over the four-year period (2020-2024) for the Khel Ratna Award places her among the top contenders.
“This award would not only boost my morale but also inspire the entire archery fraternity, as no archer has ever received the Khel Ratna. I humbly request you to consider my name for this prestigious honor.”
Vennam’s appeal underscores the importance of recognizing excellence in underrepresented sports like archery, highlighting her significant contributions to the sport and Indian athletics.