Harmanpreet Singh, Praveen Kumar nominated for Khel Ratna Award

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and para high-jumper Praveen Kumar have been nominated for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. 

However, Paris Olympics medallists Manu Bhaker's name has been missing from the nomination, which was recommended by a 12-member selection committee, headed by Justice Ramasubramanian, a retired Supreme Court judge. 

Manu Bhaker made history at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to win two medals at the Olympics, winning bronze medals in the women's individual 10m air pistol shooting and the mixed team event along with Sarabjot Singh. 

Officials in the sports ministry have alleged that Manu did not apply for the award, although the selection committee is not bound by a formal application and can take suo moto cognizance in recognition of her achievements this year. 

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Singh's nomination is a reward for his excellent performances at the Paris Olympics, finishing as India's top scorer and leading the country to back-to-back bronze medals at the Olympics in hockey. 

Para-athlete Praveen Kumar won the gold medal at the Paris Paralympics in men's high jump T64 class, breaking the Asian record with a 2.08m jump. 

This is Praveen's second Paralympics medal, after his silver in the Tokyo Paralympics. 

The committee also recommended 30 sportspersons for the Arjuna Award, including 17 para-athletes and 13 athletes. 

Aman Sehrawat, Paris Olympics bronze medallist in men's 57kg freestyle wrestling is amongst the nominees, and so is shooter Swapnil Singh Kusale, who also won a bronze medal in Paris in the men's 50m three-position event. 

Para-swimmer Muralikant Petkar, India's first Paralympic gold medalist, has been recommended for the Arjuna Award in the lifetime achievement category. He won the gold medal at the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics.