6th August 2021 – In yet another step to break Congress-era legacy, the Government of India has decided to rename the nation’s highest sports award from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he has been getting requests from citizens to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand.
In another tweet, he stated that Major Dhyan Chand was among India’s foremost sportpersons who brought honour and pride for India.
Major Dhyan Chand (29th August 1905 – 3 December 1979) was born in Prayagraj in a Rajput family. He joined the British Indian Army at the age of 17 as a sepoy in the 1st Brahmans regiment. He started playing field hockey after he joined the army. He played in over 180 international matches and scored over 500 goals. Under his leadership, India dominated the field hockey for over 2.5 decades.
