Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh and which 2 others to receive Khel Ratna Award?
Xtra Time Web Desk: The Ministry of Sports has announced that double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and reigning world chess champion D Gukesh are among the four distinguished athletes set to receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17. Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar will also be honoured with the country's highest sporting accolade at a special ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi, presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.
The decision follows recommendations from the awards committee and a thorough review process, according to the ministry. Alongside the Khel Ratna, 32 athletes will be conferred with the Arjuna Award, while three coaches will receive the Dhronacharya Award at the same event.
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Manu Bhaker’s Initial Omission Sparks Controversy
A controversy arose when Manu Bhaker’s name was initially missing from the list of Khel Ratna nominees, despite her stellar achievements. Her father, Ram Kishan Bhaker, criticized the omission, expressing frustration and suggesting he might have steered her toward cricket instead of shooting. Her coach, Jaspal Rana, also voiced disappointment over the perceived oversight by sporting authorities.
Manu, however, addressed the issue with grace, stating she remained focused on her performance rather than awards. In an Instagram post, she acknowledged a potential lapse in the nomination process.
“As an athlete, my primary role is to perform for my country. I believe there was a lapse, possibly on my part, in the nomination process, which is now being rectified,” she wrote.
Manu’s remarkable achievements and unwavering focus have reaffirmed her stature as one of India’s premier athletes, and the Khel Ratna recognition cements her legacy further.
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MORE ABOUT THE KHEL RATNA AWARD WINNERS
*Manu Bhaker won bronze medals in 10m air pistol and 10m pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first athlete to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Games since Independence.
*D Gukesh, meanwhile, became the youngest world champion in classical chess after beating Ding Liren of China in December.
Harmanpreet Singh led India to their second successive Olympic bronze in men's hockey earlier this year.
*Praveen Kumar won gold in the High Jump T 64 event at the Paris Olympics.
FULL LIST OF AWARDS WINNERS - NATIONAL SPORTS DAY 2024
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
Shri Gukesh D - Chess
Shri Harmanpreet Singh - Hockey
Shri Praveen Kumar - Para-Athletics
Ms. Manu Bhakar - Shooting
Arjuna Award
Ms. Jyothi Yarraji - Athletics
Ms. Annu Rani - Athletics
Ms. Nitu - Boxing
Ms. Saweety - Boxing
Ms. Vantika Agrawal - Chess
Ms. Salima Tete - Hockey
Shri Abhishek - Hockey
Shri Sanjay - Hockey
Shri Jarmanpreet Singh - Hockey
Shri Sukhjeet Singh - Hockey
Shri Rakesh Kumar - Para-Archery
Ms. Preeti Pal - Para-Athletics
Ms. Jeevanji Deepthi - Para-Athletics
Shri Ajeet Singh - Para-Athletics
Shri Sachin Sarjerao Khilari - Para-Athletics
Shri Dharambir - Para-Athletics
Shri Pranav Soorma - Para-Athletics
Shri H Hokato Sema - Para-Athletics
Ms. Simran - Para-Athletics
Shri Navdeep - Para-Athletics
Shri Nitesh Kumar - Para-Badminton
Ms. Thulasimathi Murugesan - Para-Badminton
Ms. Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan - Para-Badminton
Ms. Manisha Ramadass - Para-Badminton
Shri Kapil Parmar - Para-Judo
Ms. Mona Agarwal - Para-Shooting
Ms. Rubina Francis - Para-Shooting
Shri Swapnil Suresh Kusale - Shooting
Shri Sarabjot Singh - Shooting
Shri Abhay Singh - Squash
Shri Sajan Prakash - Swimming
Shri Aman - Wrestling
Arjuna Awards (Lifetime)
Shri Sucha Singh - Athletics
Shri Murlikant Rajaram Petkar - Para-Swimming
Dronacharya Award for Outstanding Coaches
Shri Subhash Rana - Para-Shooting
Ms. Deepali Deshpande - Shooting
Shri Sandeep Sangwan - Hockey
Lifetime Category
Shri S Muralidharan - Badminton
Shri Armando Agnelo Colaco - Football
