The Mystery Surrounding Shooter Manu Bhaker’s Exclusion from the Khel Ratna List: NRAI Responds

The exclusion of India’s star pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, a two-time medalist at the Paris Olympics, from the list of nominees for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has raised eyebrows. Sources revealed that neither Bhaker nor the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) submitted an application on her behalf for the country’s highest national sports honor. The recommendations for the award were finalized by a 12-member selection committee.

The recommendations were finalized by a 12-member selection committee chaired by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V. Ramasubramanian.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the Bhaker family is reportedly interested in applying for the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, which honors outstanding contributions in various fields.

“They are aiming for the Padma Shri, but Manu’s parents need to be informed that it follows a separate application process,” the source stated. Attempts to contact Manu Bhaker’s parents for comments went unanswered.

The source also revealed that the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) did not recommend Manu Bhaker’s name for the award.

“If the athlete misses applying, it is the federation’s responsibility to step in,” the source said.

Addressing the issue, NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo stated that they have approached the Sports Ministry to request the inclusion of Manu’s name.

“It is the athlete’s responsibility to apply,” said the NRAI president. “However, upon realizing her name was missing, we reached out to the Sports Ministry and requested that her name be considered for the Khel Ratna.”

Meanwhile, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, Harmanpreet Singh, and para high-jumper Praveen Kumar, have been recommended for the Khel Ratna. Harmanpreet led India to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, while Praveen clinched gold in the T64 class with a new Asian record at the Paris Paralympics.

Manu Bhaker made history as the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics (Paris) and the first female Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal. She secured bronze in the 10m air pistol individual event and the 10m mixed team event alongside Sarabjot Singh at the Paris Games earlier this year.