• In August, Manu Bhaker became independent India’s first athlete to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics with her bronze-winning show in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team events. 

• Naturally, Bhaker was expected to be nominated for the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

• However, reports emerged that the double Olympic-medallist has been ignored for this year's Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.

• The shooter’s name does not feature in the list doing the rounds.

• Reports of her omission from the national honours evoked shock with her family insisting that application was duly submitted.

• The sports ministry said that the final list for the Khel Ratna has not yet been finalised.

• The award selection committee is a 12-member panel headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V. Ramasubramam. It includes former athletes like women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal among others.

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of previous four years.

• It was launched in 1991-92 as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. In August 2021, the Khel Ratna Award was renamed in the honour of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand. 

• The prize money for the Ratna Award has been increased to Rs 25 lakh from the previous amount of Rs 7.5 lakh.

Eligibility

• The most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of four years immediately preceding the year during which award is to be given shall be honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award for excellence in sports and games at international level — Olympic/Asian/Commonwealth/World Games/Championships/World Cup and equivalent recognised international tournaments. 

• During the years when Olympic Games, Commonwealth and Asian Games are held, achievements of the sportspersons in these Games and other above-mentioned tournaments up to the conclusion of the Olympic Games/Commonwealth Games/Asian Games, as the case may be, will also be considered.

• Applications for the award are invited through online portal. Sportspersons eligible in accordance with award guidelines will be permitted to self apply without the recommendation of the authorities/persons.

• The government reserves the right to nominate up to two nominations in deserving cases.

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