Chandigarh, January 3, 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau): Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two Olympic medals at the Paris Olympics, and chess grandmaster D Gukesh, along with two other athletes, will be honored with the Khel Ratna Award. The Ministry of Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2024 on Thursday. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the awards on 17th January at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Gukesh, who won the Chess World Championship on December 12 in Singapore by defeating China’s Ding Liren, will also receive the Khel Ratna. Other athletes, including hockey’s Harmanpreet Singh, para-athlete Praveen Kumar, and shooter Manu Bhaker, will receive the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Manu Bhaker’s name was initially missing from the list, causing her father to express anger. After much advocacy, she is now being awarded the Khel Ratna.
Summary: Manu Bhaker, D Gukesh, and two other athletes will receive the Khel Ratna Award for their achievements. President Murmu will present the awards on January 17.