Manu Bhaker Awarded Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Amid Nomination Confusion; Gukesh Among 4 Honorees

Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Amid Nomination Confusion: The Sports Ministry announced on Thursday, January 2, that India's double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and world chess champion D Gukesh are among the four athletes set to be conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on January 17.

Manu who missed from the list of nominees for the Khel Ratna, the highest sporting honour in the country set to receive the honour.

"The awardees will receive their awards from the President of India at a specially organised function at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 17th January 2025 (Friday) at 1100 hours," the sports ministry said in a press release.

Also Read: Blinkit Launches 10-Minute Ambulance Service in Gurgaon, Revolutionizing Emergency Transport

“Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after due scrutiny, Government has decided to confer awards upon the following sportspersons, coaches, university and entity,” the ministry statement further added.

22-year-old Bhaker became first Indian athlete to win 2 medals in a single Olympics with her bronze in 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team in August.

Also Read: Lalu Yadav’s Proposal to Nitish Kumar for Alliance Fuels Speculation; Tejashwi Yadav Responds

In the same Games Hamranpreet led the Indian hockey team to its 2nd consecutive bronze.

18-year-old Gukesh became the youngest ever World champion and also helped the Indian team win a historic gold in Chess Olympiad last year.

The fourth recipient will be para high-jumper Praveen who won the T64 title in Paris Paralympics.

T64 is for athletes with one or both legs below the knee and running with a prosthetic leg.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Gautam Gambhir Avoid Each Other; India Captain Seeks Support From Bumrah, Agarkar