A day after Manu Bhaker's name was absent from among those recommended for the prestigious Khel Ratna award created a furore, it is reliably learnt that it is likely to be added to the final list after union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya takes a call on the matter in a few days.

Harvinder Singh, Paris Paralympics gold medallist, criticised the exclusion of Paralympians from the Khel Ratna Award nominations, sparking concerns about recognition disparities in India's highest sporting honours compared to achievements celebrated after Tokyo 2020.

Manu Bhaker made history at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. The 22-year-old is the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics. Bhaker's laurels in shooting earned widespread praise after winning bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and 10m air pistol mixed team alongside Sarabjot Singh.

Issuing a clarification on the Khel Ratna Award snub, Manu Bhaker asserted that awards and recognition are not her goals, but they serve to keep her motivated.