Manu Bhaker. | (Image Credits: Twitter)
The year 2024 has proved to be a memorable one for Manu Bhaker, who won twin medals in the Olympic games held in Paris this year in the shooting category. With reports emerging that Manu hasn’t applied for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, her father Ram Kishan has lashed out at the committee for not considering his daughter for the award despite applying for the prestigious accolade.
Bhaker scripted history for India, becoming the first athlete from the country to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. The youngster first won bronze in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event and followed it up with another in the mixed team category of the same event alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Speaking to Sports Tak in an exclusive interview, Bhaker’s father questioned their way of encouraging the athletes as his daughter should not be begging for awards.
“What’s the point of getting two medals in single Olympics if you have to beg for awards. One government official is deciding and committee members are silent not giving their opinion. I don’t understand. Is this the way you are encouraging athletes? We had applied for the award but have heard nothing from the committee. Why parents are encouraging their kids to play they should push them for becoming IRS officers in government.”
