Khel Ratna for Manu Bhaker: Tardy harm management by ministry?
There have been hardly any surprises when Manu Bhaker’s identify was finally introduced as one of many 4 Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awardees earlier this week, together with D. Gukesh, the youngest world chess champion, males’s hockey workforce captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar. The Paris Olympics double medallist shooter should have been an automated selection in view of her historic feat, however the recognition got here after some tardy harm management on the a part of the Union ministry of sports activities and youth affairs.
Keep in mind the hue and cry raised by Manu’s household and coach Jaspal Rana when she was disregarded from the preliminary checklist of nominees which talked about solely Harmanpreet and Praveen Kumar? The ministry swung into motion by insisting that the checklist had not been finalised, an excuse which didn’t wash because the 22-year-old from Haryana has been the toast of the nation since August 2024.
There was a good indication as to which method the wind would blow when Manu mentioned on social media in late December that there might have been a ‘lapse’ on her half whereas making use of on-line for the award.
‘’As regards to ongoing subject of my nomination for essentially the most prestigious Khel Ratna award — I wish to state that as an athlete my function is to play and carry out for my nation. I consider there was a lapse, could also be on my half whereas submitting for the nomination which is being corrected,’’ Manu posted.
An announcement from the athlete was certain to fulfill the egos of the powers that be, to not converse of the truth that the ministry and the Sports activities Authority of India (SAI) had invested closely in her and the Indian capturing contingent as a part of their Goal Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS). The addition of Gukesh, who claimed the world crown on 12 December, gave the checklist a way more well-rounded look, although critical questions stay on the scrutinising means of the awards.
Prime sports activities awards in India are not any strangers to political affiliations, and proximity to powers that be has traditionally performed a key function within the nominations, whereas there have been any variety of precedents of disgruntled athletes talking out in opposition to their friends after being ignored for awards. The BJP-led Union authorities, in the meantime, renamed the erstwhile Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award after hockey wizard Dhyan Chand for apparent causes a couple of years in the past.
In Manu’s phrases, the function of athletes is to ‘play and carry out’ for the nation, however then it needs to be the function of sports activities officers and bureaucrats to zero in on deserving candidates fairly than the latter soliciting recognition like job candidates.
Apparently, capturing has landed 4 awards within the roll of honour and they are going to be conferred within the nationwide capital on 17 January. Rifle shooter Swapnil Kusale and pistol ace Sarabjot Singh (who paired with Manu for the 10m air pistol), each bronze medallists in Paris, are among the many 32 athletes shortlisted for the distinguished Arjuna Awards. Deepali Deshpande, the acclaimed rifle capturing coach, will obtain the Dronacharya Award for coaches, whereas Manu is ready to obtain the very best Indian sports activities honour.
Reflecting the enjoyment of the capturing fraternity, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, president of the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation of India (NRAI), mentioned: “By no means earlier than have so many from the capturing household been honoured with the very best sporting awards of the land. It’s a testomony to the world-class ranges attained by Indian capturing as a complete.’’
All’s effectively that ends effectively, let’s assume?
