Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker’s reported exclusion from the list of nominees for the prestigious Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award has ignited widespread outrage. Bhaker’s father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, expressed his frustration with the government, accusing it of sidelining non-cricketing athletes despite their remarkable contributions.

In August, the 22-year-old shooter etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. She clinched a bronze in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events. However, reports of her omission from the country’s highest sporting honour have drawn sharp criticism.

Ram Kishan Bhaker, speaking to Times of India, lamented, “I regret putting her in the sport of shooting. I should have instead made her a cricketer. Then, all the awards and accolades would have come her way. She won two Olympic medals in a single edition; what else do you expect my child to do for the country?”

The family insists that Manu had submitted her application for the Khel Ratna award, contradicting claims from the sports ministry that no such application was received. Her father pointed out the challenges faced by the young athlete in receiving due recognition, citing 49 cash award applications submitted over the years—all of which were reportedly rejected.

Adding to the drama, Manu herself has reportedly been left disheartened by the situation. According to her father, she confided, saying, “I shouldn’t have gone to the Olympics and won medals for the country. In fact, I shouldn’t have become a sportsperson.”

However, a top official from the sports ministry has clarified that the final list of nominees is yet to be announced. “There is no final list of nominees at this point. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will decide on the recommendations in a day or two, and her name, in all likelihood, will be there in the final list,” the official told PTI.