The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award has been renamed to the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award. This move was announced by prime minister Narendra Modi on Friday. PM Modi said this decision was implemented after he received a very high number of requests from across the nation. This change was made after the Indian men’s hockey team produced an unbelievable performance at the Olympics to secure a bronze medal for the country. This is the first time the team won a medal after 41 years.
Prime Minister 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!”.
Major Dhyan Chand is one of India’s greatest legends of the game. He won 3 Olympic gold medals for the country during his time. He won the medals in the Olympic Games of 1928, 1932, and 1936. Major Dhyan Chand is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever play the sport.
“The exceptional performance of the Men’s and Women’s Hockey Team has captured the imagination of our entire nation. There is a renewed interest towards Hockey that is emerging across the length and breadth of India. This is a very positive sign for the coming times,” said PM Modi in another tweet.
“His life and achievements have inspired generations of sportspersons who have achieved glory for India,” Sports Minister Anurag Thakur tweeted after the announcement.
They tweeted the following,
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! pic.twitter.com/zbStlMNHdq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021
Major Dhyan Chand is 🇮🇳India’s most legendary & loved sporting icons; it is only befitting that India’s Highest Sporting Honour be named after him.
His life and achievements have inspired generations of sportspersons who have achieved glory for India. https://t.co/O63pPWTFwy
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 6, 2021
