Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday made a big announcement that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award will now be known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is the highest sporting honour for a sportsperson was named after Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.
The nominations for this award are received from respective government recognised federations, Indian Olympic association, Sports Authority of India and various control boards.
“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!” PM tweeted.
“Major Dhyan Chand was among India’s foremost sportspersons who brought honour and pride for India. It is fitting that our nation’s highest sporting honour will be named after him” he added.
India has won 5 medals in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics 2020 games till now.
