After facing wide backlash for the omission of double Olympic medallist shooter Manu Bhaker from the list of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna recommendations, the sports ministry is reportedly considering invoking its executive powers under the National Sports Awards scheme to include her name for the country’s highest sporting honour, according to sources.

Officials claimed that shooter Manu did not apply for the Khel Ratna, but her father, Ram Bhaker, disputes this, stating she had submitted her application. Even if she hadn’t, the selection panel’s failure to recognise her stellar achievements has raised questions.

The ministry is reportedly considering invoking Articles 5.1 and 5.2 of the Khel Ratna Award scheme, which allow nominations even without self-applications. 

“Sportspersons eligible in accordance with award guidelines will be permitted to self-apply without the recommendation of the authorities/persons. Notwithstanding the above, the government reserves the right to nominate up to two nominations in deserving cases.”

Amid the backlash, NRAI has now reached out to the ministry, requesting Manu’s inclusion in the list of recommendations for the award. This move has reignited debates about fair recognition and the accountability of federations in supporting deserving athletes.

“Manu said she had applied on the portal. If that was the case, then the committee must have considered her name. Whatever the situation, the federation has approached the ministry and requested the officials to include her name,” the source stated.

The shooter made history at the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning back-to-back bronze medals in the women’s individual 10m air pistol and the mixed team event with Sarabjot Singh. The 22-year-old from Haryana became the first Indian since independence to achieve such a feat in a single Olympics, solidifying her place as one of India’s finest athletes.

However, her exclusion from the Khel Ratna recommendations has raised eyebrows. Despite multiple international wins during the awards cycle, the 12-member committee overlooked her achievements, nominating drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar instead.

Traditionally, Olympic medallists receive the Khel Ratna upon their return, as seen after the Tokyo Games. Yet, this practice was not applied to Manu, sparking debate over the fairness of the decision and the inconsistency in recognising her historic accomplishments.

It remains uncertain whether Manu Bhaker’s name will appear in the final list of Khel Ratna awardees. However, it is confirmed that she has also applied for the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, the country’s third and fourth highest civilian honours.

According to documents accessed by TOI, Manu submitted her applications for the Padma awards on the official portal on 15th September. This move highlights her efforts to gain recognition for her historic achievements and contributions to Indian sports.