Khel Ratna row: Possibly lapse on my half, says Manu Bhaker

The Union Sports activities Ministry then mentioned on Monday that Bhaker’s identify was not thought of for the award as a result of she had not submitted an utility as per the federal government stipulation for the sports activities awards.

Bhaker, 22, grew to become the primary athlete in post-Independence India to win two medals in an Olympics after she took bronze within the 10m air pistol ladies’s and combined group competitions in Paris. Bhaker’s selection had appeared a formality, however solely Harmanpreet Singh, skipper and drag-flicker of the India males’s hockey group, and Praveen Kumar, para excessive soar gold medallist on the Paris Paralympics who additionally took silver in Tokyo three years in the past, have been really helpful.

The sports activities ministry and the 12-member awards committee have been criticised, though a ministry official mentioned: “this isn’t the ultimate listing, there’s a course of concerned”.

On Tuesday, Bhakar sought to place the difficulty to relaxation in her first feedback on the difficulty.

“With reference to ongoing challenge for my nomination for essentially the most prestigious Khel Ratna award, I want to state that as an athlete, my function is to play and carry out for my nation. Awards and recognition maintain me motivated however will not be my aim. I consider there was a lapse, perhaps on my half whereas submitting for the nomination which is being corrected. No matter the award, I shall stay motivated to win extra medals for my nation. It’s a request to everybody, please don’t speculate on this matter,” Bhaker wrote.

On Monday, the taking pictures federation (NRAI) wrote to Secretary-Sports activities, Sujata Chaturvedi, urging that the ministry take into account Bhaker for Khel Ratna on “distinctive grounds”.

Chatting with HT, NRAI president Kalikesh Singh Deo mentioned: “We don’t even know if she utilized or not, but when she did, I don’t assume the committee had any purpose to not take into account her. If she didn’t apply, there’s nothing the committee may’ve accomplished. We’re hopeful the ministry understands our standpoint and offers her the award she so completely deserves.”

Bhaker’s coach Jaspal Rana minced no phrases in pinning the blame on the federation and the awards panel. “Do you assume she wants to use in any case that she achieved this yr?” he requested. “It is rather demotivating for an athlete. You could do not forget that taking pictures is a psychological sport and if the athlete just isn’t in the correct house, you possibly can’t anticipate miracles.”

It’s discovered that the ministry is probably going so as to add Bhaker’s identify to the ultimate listing after union sports activities minister Mansukh Mandaviya takes a name on the matter in a couple of days.

“What’s the purpose of making a gift of the award after a lot chaos? An award have to be given, not demanded. All that’s occurred is kind of unsettling and insulting for an athlete. Even when she had missed the appliance, absolutely somebody may have nudged her or the committee may have taken suo motu cognisance,” Rana argued.

In the meantime, Paralympics gold medallist archer Harvinder Singh alleged “discrimination” in sports activities awards.

“Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medallists have been awarded Main Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, however what about Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medallists? Identical competitors, identical gold, identical satisfaction, why not identical award? Singh wrote on X.

His coach Jiwanjot Singh confirmed that Harvinder had utilized for the highest prize. “I believe being a Paralympics gold medallist, he deserves a Khel Ratna, particularly after he had utilized for a similar,” Jiwanjot advised HT.