The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award – the highest sporting honour in India – has been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced this on Friday. Dhyan Chand is the greatest hockey legend in India.
According to PM Modi, the move was made following requests received from across the country. “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,” Modi said. Dhyan Chand, whose birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day, won three Olympic golds for the country.
Launched in 1991-92, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. The first recipient of the Khel Ratna was chess legend Viswanathan Anand.
