WFI chief accuses Sports Ministry of 'favouritism' after Manu Bhaker's initial Khel Ratna snub: 'Officials sit and try to...'

Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh has accused the Sports Ministry of “favouritism” as Manu Bhaker wasn’t initially included in the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna nominees’ list despite winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024. Bhaker was eventually included in the nominee list after her omission led to a massive controversy.

Sanjay Singh said despite the name of a two-time Olympic medallist missing, the Sports Ministry officials did not make an effort to include her as they were busy including the name of their “favourite people”.

“The officials discuss who to award Bharat Ratna or Khel Ratna…You must have seen Manu Bhaker’s name was not there even after winning two medals and after the movement was started she did get included…Officials sit and try to include their favourite people in the list of Khel Ratna," Sanjay Singh told news agency ANI.

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Bhaker wasn’t nominated for the Khel Ratna award at the start despite the 22-year-old and her family claiming that she had submitted her application.

A few days later, however, Bhaker admitted to a lapse on her part while filing for the nomination. Ultimately the Sports Ministry, who had at first said that the initial list was not final, added Bhaker’s name to the Khel Ratna nominees’ list.

When Bhaker said she shouldn’t have competed at Olympics

Amid the controversy over her initial Khel Ratna snub, Bhaker's father had claimed that the shooter felt she should not have gone to Paris to compete in the Olympics.

“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?" Ram Kishan Bhaker, Manu’s father, had told Times of India.

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“The government must recognise her efforts. I spoke to Manu, and she was disheartened by all this. She told me ‘I shouldn’t have gone to the Olympics and won medals for the country. In fact, I shouldn’t have become a sportsperson’."

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Manu ended her long wait for a medal after she clinched bronze in the women’s individual 10m air pistol event. She later teamed up with Sarabjot Singh to win bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.

Apart from Manu, world chess champion D Gukesh, men’s hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar have also been nominated for the Khel Ratna award.