Olympian Manu Bhaker’s father: ‘He should have made her a cricketer, not a shooter’

India’s major sporting ace, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, is at the center of a storm after Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker’s name was noticeably missing from the initial list of nominees. The omission of the 22-year-old shooter sparked outrage, with her family and supporters questioning the decision.

Responding to the controversy, Bhaker told reporters: “I think I deserve it. Let the country decide.”

Bhaker etched her name in history last August, as she became the first independent Indian athlete to win two medals at a single Olympic edition, and a bronze in the individual and mixed team 10m air pistol events. However, her pioneering achievement was not recognized by the awards committee.

Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, expressed his displeasure. In a Times of India report, he was quoted as saying: “She told me: ‘I should not have gone to the Olympics or won medals for my country.’” I shouldn’t have become an athlete.

Ram Kishan, chief engineer of the Merchant Marine, added that her exclusion raises doubts about the selection process. He told another newspaper: “If such a performance is not worthy of recognition, it is difficult to believe that the committee operates without outside influence.”

The controversy deepened with conflicting reports. While the Sports Ministry claimed that Bhaker had not applied for the award, her father insisted otherwise. “She has been applying for the Khel Ratna and other awards for the past few years. I am sure she has applied this time as well,” he told PTI, stressing that her achievements should be enough even without an application.

He also regretted the lack of recognition of Olympic sports in India. “If she had been a cricketer, she would have received all the accolades. What more should my child do for this country?

Meanwhile, ministry sources indicated that Bhaker’s name may appear in the final list expected within days. “The recommendations will be reviewed and her name is likely to emerge,” a source told PTI.

The selection committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge V Ramasubramanian, includes prominent athletes such as hockey star Rani Rampal. But until the final list is announced, questions about Bhaker’s exclusion remain unanswered.