The recent renaming of India’s most prestigious sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award by the Prime Minister has stirred up a considerable amount of attention. Coinciding with notable achievements by the Indian hockey teams at the Tokyo Olympics, this change reflects a significant shift in recognition towards the historical contributions made to Indian sports.
The New Name: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The former Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award now goes by the name of Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. This change comes not long after the Indian Men’s Hockey team secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, and the Women’s Hockey team finished at an impressive fourth place.
Award Details and History
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting accolade granted by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It honours sportspeople who have delivered exceptional performances in their field over a span of four years. The award includes a medallion, a certificate, and a substantial cash prize of Rs 25 lakh, a substantial increase from the previous Rs 7.5 lakh.
The Khel Ratna award came into existence during the 1991-1992 period and has since recognized influential sports figures such as Viswanathan Anand, Leander Paes, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhanraj Pillay, Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George, Mary Kom and most recently Rani Rampal in 2020.
About Major Dhyan Chand
Major Dhyan Chand, revered as “The Wizard”, is a celebrated figure in Indian sport history. Born in Allahabad, he was an international field hockey player from 1926 to 1949, during which he scored over 400 goals. Furthermore, he was a part of the triumphant Olympic teams that won gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
Beyond the newly titled Khel Ratna Award, Major Dhyan Chand has been honoured with India’s highest award for lifetime achievement in sports, the Dhyan Chand Award, which was instituted in his name in 2002. Additionally, the National Stadium in New Delhi was renamed as the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in 2002 to pay tribute to this sports legend.
Observing National Sports Day
Every year on the 29th of August, which marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand (born in 1905), India celebrates National Sports Day. On this remarkable day, the President of India acknowledges eminent athletes from various sports by presenting them with prestigious awards such as the Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, and the Dhyan Chand Award.
This renaming of the country’s highest sporting honour serves as a powerful nod to the rich legacy of Indian sports and the individuals who have significantly contributed to it. Major Dhyan Chand’s enduring influence on Indian sports continues to inspire generations of athletes towards excellence.
