Give Manu her due

THE Indian contingent returned from the Paris Olympics with just six medals. Two of them were won by pistol shooter Manu Bhaker. For someone who accounted for one-third of the nation’s medal tally, a recommendation for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna — India’s biggest sports award — should have been a foregone conclusion. However, things are never that simple when bureaucrats and politicians call the shots in the sporting arena. Manu’s name is missing from the preliminary nominee list, which includes hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, who led the Indian team to a second consecutive Olympic bronze, and para athlete Praveen Kumar, who won the gold in the men’s high jump at the Paralympics. Harmanpreet and Praveen are worthy contenders, but Manu is undoubtedly worthier.

There are reports that the Sports Ministry will soon come up with the final list, which is likely to include Manu, but the unsavoury speculation has laid bare the opacity of the award selection process. It shouldn’t matter whether leading athletes have completed the formality of filing their nomination for the top honour. A standout performance ought to be enough to put them in contention. Their prospects must not be impacted by technicalities.

Laudably, Manu has admitted her ‘lapse’ and stated that awards and recognition are not her goal. However, her father has bitterly remarked that there is no point winning medals for the country and then begging for recognition. Back in 2008, ace boxer MC Mary Kom had wondered why she was not being considered for the Khel Ratna despite having won the World Championship title four times in a row, even as Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni had got it after winning just one World Cup. Mary Kom finally received the honour in 2009, but her outburst had shown the Indian sports system in a poor light. A country aspiring to host the Olympics must ensure that its brightest sports stars are not bogged down or distracted by avoidable controversies.