New Delhi. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest honor given in the field of sports in India, has now been named after hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has given this information by tweeting. PM Modi said that keeping in view the sentiments of the people, this award is now being named after Major Dhyan Chand.

What did PM Modi tweet?
PM Modi has said, “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. Keeping in view the sentiments of the people, it is now being named Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Jai Hind”

Hockey players’ performance in Olympics a great inspiration for generations to come: Modi
In another tweet, PM Modi said, “We are all overwhelmed by the great efforts of Indian players in the Olympic Games. Especially the willpower showed by our sons and daughters in hockey. The zeal shown towards victory is a great inspiration for the present and future generations.”

History of Khel Ratna
This award was started in 1991-92. Then it was named after the former Prime Minister of the country, Rajiv Gandhi. The main objective of establishing this award is to spread appreciation and awareness in the field of sports, as well as to increase the prestige of the players by honoring them so that they can get more respect in society.

The sports world has welcomed the decision to name India’s highest sports honor Khel Ratna award as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna in place of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. Dhyan Chand is considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time. The hockey wizard won top Olympic titles in 1928, 1932, and 1936 during his career from 1926 to 1949. The country’s National Sports Day is also celebrated on 29 August to commemorate his birth anniversary.

Anju Bobby George, India’s only athletics medalist at the World Championships and the recipient of the award in 2003, said sports awards should be named after sportspersons. He said, “It is high time we name our sports awards after legends of our sport. This is the right move. Dhyan Chand is our sports hero and hockey legend and hockey is our national sport. It is fitting that the country’s highest sports award has been named after Dhyan Chand at a time when India won an Olympic medal in hockey after 41 years.

Appreciating the decision, former hockey captain Ajitpal Singh said that the recognition was received late but it was late. He said, “It is a welcome step. It is a good decision which the Prime Minister has taken. Sports awards should always be in the name of sportspersons and there is no bigger player in the country than Dhyan Chand Ji. This recognition came late, but better late than never.”

Olympic bronze medalist boxer Vijender Singh said that giving respect to Dhyan Chand Ji is a good thing but it is not enough to raise the standard of sports in the country. He said, “There is nothing against this move, as we all respect the immense contribution of Dhyan Chand Ji. But the government should do more than this to support the players. They need facilities at the basic level, unless we can do that, just renaming the awards won’t make much difference.”

Let us inform that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the Khel Ratna Award will now be called Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, respecting the sentiments of the countrymen. It was decided to name the honor after the great hockey player after the stellar performance of the Indian hockey teams in the Tokyo Olympics.

Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said that Dhyan Chand has been India’s biggest heroin sport. He said, “Major Dhyan Chand Ji gave a new identity to India on the world stage with his extraordinary game and became an inspiration to countless sportspersons. Hearty thanks to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji for conferring the Khel Ratna award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in view of public sentiment.

Former India cricketer-turned-MP Gautam Gambhir said, “The name of a (sports) hero makes the award more prestigious.” At the same time, Olympic medalist wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt also thanked the Prime Minister for this step, saying, “I thank the Government of India and the Government of India for the decision to keep the country’s best sportsperson and hockey magician Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna as the biggest sports award. Hearty thanks to respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi.