'Awards, recognition not my goal,' Manu Bhaker shoots down Khel Ratna fiasco

Manu Bhaker has opened up about the Khel Ratna award fiasco. Her father and coach had launched scathing attacks on the government and authorities concerned, as it emerged that the ace shooter was not considered for India's highest sporting honour.

"With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna Award - I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country. Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal," Manu posted on the social media platform X, also called Twitter.

The 22-year-old from Haryana won two bronze medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Indian to claim multiple medals at a single Games. The recent controversy erupted following reports the Manu was not among those nominated for 2024. There were reports that Manu had not filed her nomination, while some said her submission did not go through.

However, the shooter has clarified: "I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part, while filing for the nomination, which is being corrected."

"Irrespective of the award I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this matter," Manu posted.

Father and coach react
Earlier, her father Ram Kishan Bhaker was furious, urging parents to have a rethink before encouraging their children to do sports. "It is also my fault that I encouraged Manu into sports. To the entire country's parents, I would like to say don't get your kids into sports but if you need money then get them into cricket and if you need power then make them IAS/ IPS or UPSC aspirants," Bhaker said.

"They are talking about hosting the 2036 Olympics but where are you going to get them from when you discourage them like this. As a parent, I would like to tell other parents not to get their kids into an Olympic sport, get them educated instead when they become IAS/ IPS then they will have command over lakhs of players on who should get the Khel Ratna."

Manu's coach, Jaspal Rana, said the system that requires athletes to apply for an award must change. "How can it be ignored?" Rana said about Manu's nomination going allegedly overlooked. "There has to be some system where points should be given to athlete. How many athletes have the knowledge of how to apply? Why not the Federation? Why not SAI? Why not the ministry? There are thousands of people sitting on those desks."