Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Renamed After Hockey Great Dhyan Chand

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Welcome
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Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award Renamed After
Hockey Great Dhyan Chand
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The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest
sporting honour of India, has been renamed Major
Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Prime Minister
Narendra Modi announced today. The renaming
recognises the ultimate hockey hero and legend of
the sport, Dhyan Chand.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.
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The change comes at a time Indias hockey teams
have captivated the imagination of the nation
with their performance at the Toyko Olympics. The
womens hockey team today narrowly missed out on
a bronze medal drawing curtains on its spirited
show at the Olympics. Yesterday, the mens hockey
team won an Olympic bronze after a wait of 41
years. The exceptional performance of the Mens
and Womens Hockey Team has captured the
imagination of our entire nation. There is a
renewed interest in Hockey that is emerging
across the length and breadth of India. This is a
very positive sign for the coming times, the
Prime Minister said in another tweet, just before
announcing the new name for the award.
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His life and achievements have inspired
generations of sportspersons who have achieved
glory for India, Sports Minister Anurag Thakur
tweeted after the announcement. Commending the
decision, former hockey skipper Ajitpal Singh
noted though the recognition came in late, its
better than never. Its a welcome move. Its 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. The
recognition came late but better late than
never, Mr Singh told PTI.
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Thank You