National sports awards

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna: After a lot of debate over India’s double bronze medallist at the Paris Olympics Manu Bhaker's reported exclusion from this year’s list of Khel Ratna awardees, the 22-year-old pistol shooter addressed the issue publicly, acknowledging a potential lapse on her part in filing the nomination for the prestigious honour.

The controversy erupted when the National Sports Awards selection committee surprisingly omitted Bhaker’s name from the recommendations, despite her historic achievements at the Paris Olympics. The sports ministry had to intervene on Monday to contain the fallout, but Bhaker took to social media to offer her perspective on the situation.

Posting on X, Manu stated that her primary focus remains on performing for her country, not on awards. With regards to ongoing issue for my nomination for the most prestigious Khel Ratna award-I would like to state that as an athlete my role is to play and perform for my country. Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal.”