The puzzle around shooter Manu Bhaker’s name missing from Khel Ratna list | More sports News – Times of India

Manu Bhaker. (Photo by Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images)

NEW DELHI: The absence of India’s star pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two medals at the Paris Olympics, from the list of names recommended for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award has come as a major surprise, with sources telling Timesofindia.com that neither the shooter herself nor the National Rifle Association of India applied on her behalf for the country’s top national sports award.
The recommendations have been made by the 12-member selection committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramanian.
A source close to the development said that the Bhaker family wants to apply for the Padma Shri, which is the fourth highest civilian award given in recognition for meritorious services in different fields.
“They want to apply for Padma Shri, but (Manu’s) parents must be advised that it’s a separate process,” the source told Timesofindia.com.
The source further said that even the federation (NRAI) didn’t recommend Manu’s name.
“If the athlete has missed applying for it, it’s the duty of the federation to do that.”
None of the top brass in the NRAI responded.
Timesofindia.com reached out to the NRAI general secretary, Kunwar Sultan Singh, who said he is not in a position to respond as he is travelling overseas. The federation’s secretary, Rajiv Bhatia, refused to comment on the issue.
Repeated attempts to connect with the NRAI president, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, elicited no response.
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 finish at the Paris Olympics, while Praveen won T64 class gold with a new Asian record at the Paris Paralympics.
Manu created history for India, becoming the first athlete from the country to win two medals at the same edition of the Olympics (Paris) and also the first female Indian shooter to win an Olympic medal.
Manu won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and the 10m mixed team event, where she partnered Sarabjot Singh, at the Paris Games held earlier this year.
Calls made to Manu’s parents also remained unanswered.