Prime Minister Narendra Modi rechristened Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratn Award as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratn Award Today by announcing it on his official Twitter account as 'respecting the emotions of the viewers'.
PM in his tweet he said " I have been getting many requests from citizens across India to name Khel Ratn Award after Major Dyan Chand. I thank them for their views. Respecting the sentiments the Rajiv gandhi Khel Ratn award will hereby called as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratn Award! Jai Hind!"
Khel Ratn award is the highest sporting honor in nation which was instituted in 1991-1992. The first recipient of the award was the Chess Legend Vishwanath Anand. The other Awardees are Leander Paes, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhanraj Pilay, Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobhy George, Mary Kom and Rani Rampal
The Khel Ratn award comes with 25Lakh as cash prize.
Who is Major Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand known as The Wizard. He was an Indian field hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest in the history of the sport. He was known for his extraordinary goal-scoring feats, in addition to earning three Olympic gold medals, in 1928, 1932 and 1936, during an era where India dominated field hockey.