Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award renamed after hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand

New Delhi: In a major tribute to sportspersons, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award has been rechristened as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that henceforth, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award will be known as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, “to respect the sentiments of citizens across the country”.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote that he was receiving request from citizens across the nation to name the Khel Ratna award after India’s sporting legend.

“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 Modi tweeted.

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

The Khel Ratna Award is the highest sporting honour in India.

Major Dhyan Chand is one of the greatest players and led Team India to victory in many Olympic Games. Under his stewardship, India won 3 consecutive Gold medals in Hockey in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He also received India’s 3rd highest civilian honour – Padma Bhushan.

It’s because of his exceptional and astounding hockey skills, he is remembered as the Wizard or The Magician.

WATCH THE HOCKEY WIZARD IN ACTION: