The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has written a letter to the sports ministry on Monday requesting the latter to consider double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker’s “candidature for the Khel Ratna Award 2024 on exceptional grounds.”

The shooting superstar won two bronze medals in Paris in July to become the first athlete of independent India to achieve the feat. However, her name was surprisingly missing from the list of Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awards winners.

“In light of her (Manu) remarkable achievements and immense contribution she has made to Indian sports we (NRAI) request you to kindly consider her candidature for the Khel Ratna Award 2024 on exceptional grounds,” Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, president of the NRAI, wrote.

Later in the day, a source said the names are yet to be finalised and she is likely to be there when the list is unveiled in a week’s time.

“There is no final list of nominees at this point in time. Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya will decide on the recommendations in a day or two and her (Manu’s) name, in all likelihood, will be in the final list,” he said.

The 12-member award selection committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice V Ramasubramanian, has recommended hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh and para-athlete Praveen Kumar for the top award.

Paris medallists Aman Sehrawat (wrestling), Swapnil Kusale and Sarabjot Singh (both shooting) are amongst the 30 athletes recommended for the Arjuna Award.

The ministry norms allow athletes to self-nominate instead of relying on federations and other institutions for it. The selection committee is, however, allowed to consider names which may not be among the applicants.

While the ministry claimed tha Manu did not apply for the award, Ram Kishan Bhaker claimed his 22-year-old daughter went by the book.

“Even if she hasn’t, the committee should consider her looking at her achievements,” he said.