“Should have instead made her a cricketer” – Manu Bhaker’s father after shooter’s snub from Khel Ratna awards

Manu Bhaker’s father Ram Kishan has lashed out after her daughter wasn’t considered for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. Manu, who had two medals in the Paris Olympics earlier this year, wasn’t picked amongst the nominees for the prestigious award.

Manu won India’s first medal in Paris after bagging bronze in the women’s 10m Air Pistol event. She followed it up with another bronze in the mixed-team event along with Sarabjot Singh.

After Manu’s snub from the Khel Ratna award, her father expressed his disappointment, saying that he should have chosen cricket as a career for his daughter. He also said that after being left out, Manu lamented that she should not have chosen sports as a profession.

"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?” Manu’s father told The Times of India (TOI).

“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'," Manu's father added.

---

Manu Bhaker setting new heights for India

After winning multiple medals at the Olympics, Manu joined legendary Indian athletes who have achieved major feats in their careers. She became the second woman after PV Sindhu to win more than one Olympic medal and the second Indian after Norman Pritchard to win multiple medals in a single Olympics.

Manu also created history after becoming the first Indian female shooter to win an Olympic medal. She missed out on winning her third medal when she finished fourth in the women’s 25m pistol event.