The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour of India, has been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today.
The renaming recognises the ultimate hockey hero and legend of the sport, Dhyan Chand. The Prime Minister said the move was based on the numerous requests he received from across the nation.
“I have been getting many requests from citizens across India to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. I thank them for their views.
“Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award!” tweeted the Prime Minister with #JaiHind.
The change comes at a time India’s hockey teams have captivated the imagination of the nation with their performance at the Toyko Olympics.
The women’s hockey team today narrowly missed out on a bronze medal drawing curtains on its spirited show at the Olympics. Yesterday, the men’s hockey team won an Olympic bronze after a wait of 41 years.
Dhyan Chand, whose birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day, won three Olympic golds for the country.
