Khel Ratna Award to now be called Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

New Delhi, Aug 6: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The Prime Minister said that he had "received request from people across the country to name the award after the Indian Hockey legend". Respecting their wishes, the name has been changed accordingly.

 

 

PM Modi said, "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!.

 

 

It should be noted that the Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour in India. Until now, it was named after Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of the country and the son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

 

On the other hand, Major Dhyan Chand is one of the greatest hockey players in the history of the game. He led India to three consecutive Gold Medals in Hockey in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, in 1956.

 

According to his biography, Major Dhyan Chand scored an astonishing 570 goals in 185 matches, averaging 3.08 goals per match. For his astounding hockey feats, he is fondly remembered as The Wizard or The Magician. Consequently, the highest sporting award in India will henceforth be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.