Manu Bhaker, the double bronze medallist on the Paris Olympics 2024, has been on the centre of an enormous controversy after her title was excluded from the Khel Ratna awardees listing. Nevertheless, on Tuesday night, the 22-year-old acknowledged the potential oversight on her half within the nomination course of for this yr’s Nationwide Sports activities Awards.
Manu Bhaker accepts ‘lapse’ on her half within the Khel Ratna controversy. (PTI)
Manu Bhaker took to X (previously Twitter) to make clear her stance. Her assertion comes a day after the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports activities intervened to deal with the rising controversy.
“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,” she wrote on X.
“Awards and recognition keep me motivated but are not my goal. I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected,” she added.
Further in her statement, she said, “Irrespective of the award, I shall remain motivated to win more medals for my country. It is a request to everyone, please do not speculate on this.”
Netizens support Manu Bhaker
As soon as Manu Bhaker posted her statement, several users on the internet extended support and wished her luck in the upcoming tournaments.
“Good luck Manu,” wrote one consumer. One other consumer commented, “Well said and all success to you in shooting.”
One other consumer wrote, “Please focus on your goals.” One netizen commented, “Energy to you Manu.”
Earlier, Manu Bhaker’s father, Ramkishan Bhaker, lambasted the Sports activities Ministry and Choice Committee for overlooking her achievements. Even her coach, Jaspal Rana, didn’t have good issues to say, slamming the Ministry.
For the uninitiated, Manu Bhaker is the primary athlete from unbiased India to win two medals in a single Olympics version.
She received bronze medals within the 10m air pistol particular person and 10m air pistol blended crew (with Sarabjot Singh) occasions in Paris.