Netizens In Disbelief As Shooter Manu Bhaker Gets Snubbed For Khel Ratna; Slam Politics In Sports
A controversy has erupted after pistol shooter Manu Bhaker was snubbed by the sports ministry for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award despite winning two Bronze medals in the Paris Olympics.
According to Manu, she had submitted her name in the online portal for the award but her name didn’t make it to the list of 30 athletes, NDTV reported.
Manu’s father Ram Kishan Baker reportedly regrets putting her in shooting after the snub. Speaking to Time of India, he also demanded that the government, which claims Manu didn’t submit her name, should recognise her efforts.
“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, no one has ever done that. What else do you expect my child to do for the country?” he told Times of India.
Manu Bhaker reacts to the snub
In an interview with Telecom Asia Sport, Manu’s father said that Manu believes she deserves the award and wants to know the citizens’ response on it.
#WATCH | India’s ace shooter, Manu Bhaker, who made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning two bronze medals for India, was overlooked for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award as she did not make it to the 30 names shortlisted in the recommended list. Here’s what she had… pic.twitter.com/6t8ykiRunt
— ABP LIVE (@abplive) December 24, 2024
“It think I deserve it. Let the country decide,” Manu said according to her father. “She has been applying for various awards like Padma Shri for the last four years. So why wouldn’t she apply this year?” he told Telecom Asia.
He alleged that all 49 of her applications for cash awards have also been rejected by the government.
Speaking to ABP News, Manu stated that she is sad after the snub adding that her focus is on improving herself as a shooter.
ALSO SEE: Olympian Manu Bhaker Claps Back At Trolls Over Public Appearances: ‘Know My Goal, Need No Reminder’
Netizens furious at government snubbing Manu
Many social media users are furious at the government for failing to reward Manu for her achievements.
“SHAME ALERT. Manu Bhaker has not been nominated for Khel Ratna despite winning double Olympic medals. Is this because she met LoP Rahul Gandhi & Deepender Hooda? Really cheap politics by BJP,” a user posted on X.
Shocking Khel Ratna omission!
Shooter Manu Bhaker, double medalist at Paris Olympics is missing from the nominations list!
Reports claim she didn’t apply, but her family insists the application was sent
Notable nominees include Harmanpreet Singh, who led India to an Olympic… pic.twitter.com/7ON7L2Bl1I
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) December 23, 2024
SHAME ALERT 🚨
Manu Bhaker has not been nominated for Khel Ratna despite winning double Olympic medals
Is this because she met LoP Rahul Gandhi & Deepender Hooda?
Really cheap politics by BJP 🤮pic.twitter.com/7BkbGMgEhh
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) December 23, 2024
Two Olympic bronze medals and one fourth place finish not enough for Khel Ratna….wow…
Manu should start UPSC preparation to be IRS or IAS…
bureaucracy in india kills sports@mansukhmandviya @KirenRijiju @realmanubhaker @TOIIndiaNews @toisports @narendramodi @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/uKGngc1TPv
— Manu Bhaker (@ManuBhaker78255) December 23, 2024
Two bronze medals and one fourth place finish not enough for Khel Ratna?
How often does India achieve something like this.
Manu Bhaker not getting Khel Ratna.
DISBELIEF.@realmanubhaker @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @mansukhmandviya pic.twitter.com/csVQHp4JVN
— Jai Hind (@kannandelhi) December 23, 2024
“Two bronze medals and one fourth place finish not enough for Khel Ratna? How often does India achieve something like this. Manu Bhaker not getting Khel Ratna. DISBELIEF,” wrote another.
“It is really sad that Manu Bhaker did not get the Khel Ratna, her hard work and performance should have been given more recognition,” a third user said.
ALSO SEE: Manu Bhaker Admits To Defending PV Sindhu With Fake Profile; Star Indian Shuttler’s Heartfelt Reaction Goes Viral
(Image: Instagram@ManuBhaker)
