NEW DELHI: Double Olympic bronze-medallist Manu Bhaker on Tuesday acknowledged a lapse on her part while filing nominations for this year's National Sports Awards, amidst controversy regarding her omission from the Khel Ratna awardees list.
Manu holds the distinction of being independent India's first athlete to secure two medals in one Olympic Games.
Following the sports ministry's intervention for damage control after the selection committee's surprising decision to exclude her nomination, the 22-year-old shooting champion took to social media to explain her stance.
"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.
"I believe there has been a lapse, maybe on my part while filing for the nomination which is being corrected," Bhaker wrote on X.
Manu emphasised that her primary focus remains on performance, regardless of recognition.
"Awards and recognition keeps me motivated but are not my goal," she stated.
"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," she expressed.
This statement followed criticism from her coach Jaspal Rana and father Ramkishan Bhaker, who criticised the sports ministry and selection committee for disregarding her significant achievements.
Her Paris Olympics success includes bronze medals in both the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team competitions partnering with Sarabjot Singh.
