After the impressive performance of the Indian hockey teams in the Tokyo Olympics, it was decided to name this honor after the great hockey player.
Today Prime Minister Modi made a big announcement. After this announcement, the Khel Ratna award, India’s highest sports honor, will not be named Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna but Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna. It was decided to name the honor after the great hockey player after the Indian hockey teams’ stellar performance in the Tokyo Olympics. This information was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The Prime Minister said that many people are sending him a message that the Khel Ratna award should be named after Major Dhyan Chand. In such a situation, respecting the sentiments of the people, this decision was taken and from now on the Khel Ratna Award will be known as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Amidst the moments that have made the country proud, the request of many countrymen has also come to the fore that the name of Khel Ratna Award should be dedicated to Major Dhyan Chand ji. Considering the sentiments of the people, it is now being renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Jai Hind!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021
Let us tell you that Major Dhyan Chand, the magician of hockey, who has been seen as a recipient of Bharat Ratna for a long time, has made a significant contribution to hockey. Hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Prayagraj. Other hockey playing countries give the name of Dhyan Chand as wizard and magician. He scored 13 goals in his last Olympics (Berlin 1936). Thus Dhyan Chand scored a combined 39 goals in the Amsterdam, Los Angeles and Berlin Olympics.
Talking about the Khel Ratna Award, the Khel Ratna Award in the country was started in 1991-92 in the name of Rajiv Gandhi. The first Khel Ratna award was given to Indian Grand Master Viswanathan Anand. So far 45 players have been honored with this award. Recently, cricketer Rohit Sharma, Paralympian high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, table tennis player Manika Batra, wrestler Vinesh Phogat have been given this award. Under this award, the player is given a citation, memento and an amount of Rs 25 lakh.