On Friday, P.M. Modi announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be known as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, “respecting the sentiments of citizens across the country.”
Khel Ratna Award happens to be the highest honour in sports in India, instituted in 1991-1992. The first recipient of the award was the legendary Chess player Viswanathan Anand. The other recipients over the years included Leander Paes, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhanraj Pillay, Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George and Mary Kom.
Major Dhyan Chand was known as The Wizard. He was a field hockey player who played international hockey from 1926 -1949. He had scored over 400 goals in his career. He was part of the Olympic team that won gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
The renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award also comes with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.
“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! Jai Hind!” P.M. Modi tweeted.