"Some Orders Being Followed": Manu Bhaker's Father Hints At Khel Ratna Snub 'Conspiracy'

Snubbed by the Sports Ministry for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, the country's biggest sports award, despite making history by winning two bronze medals in the Paris Olympic Games, ace pistol shooter Manu Bhaker has left the decision to the people of the country to make the final call on whether she deserves the award or not. Controversy erupted after the committee to decide the national sports awards did not recommend her name and instead put forth the names of Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh for the Khel Ratna Award, Manu's father Ram Kishan, exclusively told Telecom Asia Sport that she knows that she deserves the award but has left it for the country to decide

"I think I deserve it. Let the country decide," Manu was quoted as saying by her father in an exclusive interview with Telecom Asia Sport on Monday.

While the sports ministry has said that the 22-year-old shooter did not apply for the Khel Ratna, her family differs from the statement.

“She has been applying for various awards like Padma Shri for the last four years. So why wouldn't she apply this year?” questioned Manu's father Ram Kishan speaking exclusively with Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net).

According to Ram Kishan, in the last few years, Manu had submitted 49 cash award applications which she was entitled to, however, all 49 applications had been rejected.

“Despite such a fantastic performance if Manu is not recommended for Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, then I am forced to believe that all is not well in the committee, or some orders were being followed. If we are to make India a sporting hub, then Olympic medallists, and Olympians in general, should be given respect and encouraged rather than discourage them with decisions like