Facing criticism for ignoring Manu Bhaker from the list of recommended athletes for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, the government announced that the Paris Games’ double Olympic medallist will receive the country’s highest sporting honour.
Manu’s name was included along with reigning World Chess champion D Gukesh, making 2024’s winners at four. Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar had already been nominated for the award.