Prime Minister Narendra Modi had surprised everyone by announcing the change in the name of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the award given to the sportspersons who display brilliant performance in the sports.
With the new decision, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award went through a name change which will be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.The award was named after Legendary player Dhyan Chand.
In a tweet, PM Modi said the call to rename the prestigious award was taken going by a lot of requests he received seeking the same.
"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," PM Modi's tweet reads.
"Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award!" tweeted the Prime Minister with #JaiHind," he added.
The Centre took the big decision a day after Indian Men's Hockey team made history by bringing an Olympic medal after 41 long years.
Despite the fact that Hockey is the national sport of India, it doesn't get the required support from the Indians compared to the other celebrated sports like Cricket and Football.
A large portion of Indians doesn't even know the names of the players of Hockey team including the captain.
People started discussing the game after Men's team won the Olympic medal.
Dhyan Chand, the former Hockey player is a legendary personality of the sport who had won not just one but three gold medals for the country at the Olympic tournament.
A few former and current sportspersons have appreciated the Centre's move to name the award after the greatest of the game. But they had also urged the government to put more focus on providing more facilities.
Former Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna and the present Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is an award given to sportspersons who show brilliant performance in their respective sports. Considering the consistant performance they show for four years, they will be presented the award. The winners will be given a certificate and cash prize
With the new decision, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award went through a name change which will be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.The award was named after Legendary player Dhyan Chand.
In a tweet, PM Modi said the call to rename the prestigious award was taken going by a lot of requests he received seeking the same.
"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," PM Modi's tweet reads.
"Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award!" tweeted the Prime Minister with #JaiHind," he added.
The Centre took the big decision a day after Indian Men's Hockey team made history by bringing an Olympic medal after 41 long years.
Despite the fact that Hockey is the national sport of India, it doesn't get the required support from the Indians compared to the other celebrated sports like Cricket and Football.
A large portion of Indians doesn't even know the names of the players of Hockey team including the captain.
People started discussing the game after Men's team won the Olympic medal.
Dhyan Chand, the former Hockey player is a legendary personality of the sport who had won not just one but three gold medals for the country at the Olympic tournament.
A few former and current sportspersons have appreciated the Centre's move to name the award after the greatest of the game. But they had also urged the government to put more focus on providing more facilities.
Former Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna and the present Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is an award given to sportspersons who show brilliant performance in their respective sports. Considering the consistant performance they show for four years, they will be presented the award. The winners will be given a certificate and cash prize