Manu Bhaker, the top Indian shooter who made history as the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in one Olympic Games, was not included in the list of athletes nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the country's highest sporting honour. This is surprising, especially after her strong performance at the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

On the other hand, Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, who helped the team win a bronze medal in Paris, and para-athlete Praveen Kumar, who won a gold in the men’s high jump T64 class at the Paris Paralympics with an Asian record, have been nominated for the award.

According to The Times of India, sports ministry officials said Manu didn't apply for the award. However, sources close to her family have denied this, stating that she did submit her application.

In 2023, India pacer Mohammed Shami also didn't apply for the Arjuna Award, but the BCCI pushed for his nomination, and the awards committee considered him. Manu, who won the Arjuna Award in 2020 for her outstanding performance in sports, still needs more medals to be considered for the Khel Ratna.

After the Paris Olympics, Manu faced criticism for a viral tweet asking if she deserved the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. The tweet was later deleted, but it likely upset higher authorities.

The awards committee has recommended 30 athletes for the Arjuna Award. Other nominees include Aman Sehrawat, a men's 57kg freestyle wrestler, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics and Hangzhou Asian Games, as well as shooters Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh.