Lapse on my part, says Manu; list yet to be finalised: Govt

A controversy erupted over double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker not being shortlisted for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. While the shooter on Tuesday admitted that “there has been a lapse, may be on my part” while filing the nomination for this year’s National Sports Awards, the Sports Ministry insisted the list was yet to be finalised.

Editorial: Give Manu her due

Sources said there was a chance that her name might be included once the official list was announced. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has the discretionary powers to add or delete names from the list of recommended athletes and it is understood that he would take a decision soon. “Discussions are on, but the final decision rests with the minister. We have to wait for it,” said a source. The names, recommended by this year’s award committee headed by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice V Ramasubramanian, have been sent to Mandaviya for a final decision. The committee has recommended hockey captain Harmanpreet and Paralympics gold medallist Praveen Kumar who won gold in men’s T64 high jump for the country’s highest sporting honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna.

Manu tried to end the controversy by saying she remained motivated. “As an athlete, my role is to play and perform for my country. Awards and recognition keep me motivated but are not my goal. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part, while filing the nomination. It is being corrected,” she wrote in a post on X.

Earlier, her father Ramkishan Bhaker and personal coach Jaspal Rana stated that the snub had affected her morale and drive to perform for the country.

Rana questioned the committee for showing lack of respect for the athlete and her fans. “It is just not done. This is an example that shows they have no respect for the sport, athlete or the fans,” he told The Tribune.

“They could have taken a suo moto cognisance and included her name if it was not there. We all know of instances where names have been included by the committee and there is a precedent,” he added. Mohammad Shami and golfer Anirban Lahiri have been some prominent names who have been awarded Arjuna Awards despite their names missing from the list presented to the committee.

However, the list is yet to be finalised. The Sports Ministry said she was likely to be there when the names were finally revealed.