Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi renamed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour of India. With the renaming of the award, hockey's ultimate hero and legend has been honored.

The Prime Minister said the move was based on the numerous requests he received from across the nation.

"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”.

As India's hockey teams perform at the Tokyo Olympics, the nation is enraptured by their performances. Despite today's bronze medal loss, the women's hockey team capped off an excellent Olympic campaign. A 41-year wait ended yesterday with the men's hockey team winning a bronze medal.

Dhyan Chand is viewed as one of the greatest players in hockey history. India dominated hockey on the world stage for decades and was invincible at the Olympics. During the Olympics of 1928, 1932, and 1936, Dhyan Chand contributed to India winning gold medals.

The Khel Ratna was earlier named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Commending the decision, former hockey skipper Ajitpal Singh noted though the recognition came in late, it's better than never.

"It's a welcome move. It's a good decision which the Prime Minister has taken. Sports awards should always be in the name of sportspersons and there is no bigger sportsperson in the country other than Dhyanchand ji”, said Ajitpal Singh.

Olympic bronze-winning boxer Vijender Singh said honouring the memory of Dhyan Chand is a good move, but that alone will not be enough.

"Nothing against the move because we all respect Dhyan Chand ji's immense contribution but the government ought to do more than this to support sportspersons. They need facilities at the basic level, unless we can do that, mere renaming of awards won't make much of a difference," the boxer said to the sources.

PM Modi is known to actively follow sports. He has spoken to all of India's 5 Olympic medallists in Tokyo over phone and has even invited the contingent to Red Fort on August 15.

Launched in 1991-92, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹ 25 lakh. The first recipient of the Khel Ratna was chess legend Viswanathan Anand. There have been a number of winners in recent years, including Rohit Sharma, Vinesh Phogat, Rani Rampal, among other athletes.

Image Source: India Today