Manu Bhaker Admits Lapse in Khel Ratna Nominations, Stays Focused on Medals Not Awards

In a candid social media post, double Olympic bronze-medallist Manu Bhaker admitted a mistake in her nomination for the prestigious Khel Ratna award. Despite being excluded from the list of Khel Ratna awardees, Bhaker remains determined to focus on her primary goal: winning medals for India, not on accolades and recognition.

A Mistake in the Nomination Process

On Tuesday, Manu Bhaker acknowledged a lapse in her filing process for the National Sports Awards nomination, which led to her omission from the Khel Ratna awardees list. Bhaker, who became the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic Games, found herself at the center of a controversy after not being included in the elite list.

Despite the controversy, the 22-year-old shooter remained unfazed and emphasized that her main focus remains on performing for the country. Bhaker's exclusion sparked criticism from her coach, Jaspal Rana, and her father, Ramkishan Bhaker, who expressed disappointment over the decision by the selection committee.

Awards Are Not the Goal

In her social media post, Manu Bhaker clarified her stance, stating, “As an athlete, my role is to play and perform for my country.” She admitted that the issue with her nomination is being corrected, and pointed out that the mistake was on her part.

While acknowledging that awards and recognition motivate her, Bhaker was quick to emphasize that they are not her ultimate goal. “Irrespective of the award, I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country,” she said. She also requested that people refrain from speculating about the situation, stressing that her focus remains on achieving success for India, no matter the external recognition.

The Controversy and Criticism

The controversy erupted after the sports ministry intervened to address the issue, following critical comments from her coach and father. Jaspal Rana and Ramkishan Bhaker both slammed the government and the selection committee for overlooking Manu’s significant achievements in the sport.

Bhaker’s remarkable achievements in the 2024 Paris Olympics included winning bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol individual event and the 10m air pistol mixed team competition, in partnership with fellow shooter Sarabjot Singh.

Looking Ahead: Focus on Performance

Despite the setback, Manu Bhaker’s commitment to her craft remains unwavering. For Bhaker, the true reward lies in her performances on the international stage, where she has already brought immense pride to India.

Manu's message is clear: while awards are a welcome form of recognition, her true goal will always be to represent India and continue her journey of excellence in sports.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are based on the latest developments and are not intended as a commentary on the selection process or individual achievements.

Reference from:-https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/shooting/manu-bhaker-admits-lapse-on-her-part-while-filing-khel-ratna-nominations-says-awards-are-not-my-goal/articleshow/116629909.cms