June 23, 2026 09:03 am (IST)

Make this your homepage

News

'Italy and I never beg': Meloni fires back at Trump over G7 photo claim | No more 'brother': Stalin's formal birthday greeting to Rahul reflects deepening rift | TMC seeks disqualification of 20 rebel MPs, Abhishek says 'membership should go' | Nara Lokesh pitches Andhra Pradesh as investment hub during Kolkata visit, sets $2.4 trillion economy goal | 'Least restrictive option': Setback for Telegram as Delhi HC backs Centre's ban ahead of NEET-UG re-test | Fortuner torched, BJP leaders burnt alive: Sand mining feud ends in triple murder in Chhattisgarh | 'If Modi is the leader and India is attacked, we'll be there': Trump's strong assurance at G7 | 'Safety of Indian seafarers of utmost importance': PM Modi's strong message to Trump at G7 | Trump says Iran deal 'not final', threatens fresh strikes if Tehran ‘doesn’t behave’ | G7 declares war on global drug cartels, unveils major anti-trafficking plan

Khel Ratna Award

Image Credit: Narendra Modi/Twitter

Modi govt renames Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award after Hockey legend Dhyan Chand

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Aug 06, 2021, at 07:15 pm

New Delhi/IBNS: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour in India, has been renamed after legendary Hockey player late Dhyan Chand.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday.

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!"

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

He added, "Major Dhyan Chand was among India’s foremost sportspersons who brought honour and pride for India. It is fitting that our nation’s highest sporting honour will be named after him."

Major Dhyan Chand was among India’s foremost sportspersons who brought honour and pride for India. It is fitting that our nation’s highest sporting honour will be named after him.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 6, 2021

In an era where India dominated in hockey, Dhyan Chand earned gold medals in the Olympics in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

The Modi government's decision came at a time India's men's and women's hockey team showed bravery in the ongoing Tokyo Olympics 2020.

While the women's hockey team narrowly missed a bronze medal, the same was won by the men's unit.

The Khel Ratna Award was so far named after former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi.

#KhelRatnaAward #MajorDhyanChand #RajivGandhi #NarendraModi #Hockey

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.