Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: PM Narendra Modi

New Delhi:Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has said that he has been getting many requests from citizens across India to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. He said respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

The Prime Minister further said that 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.

In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;

“The exceptional performance of the Men’s and Women’s Hockey Team has captured the imagination of our entire nation. There is a renewed interest towards Hockey that is emerging across the length and breadth of India. This is a very positive sign for the coming times.

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!

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.

ओलंपिक खेलों में भारतीय खिलाड़ियों के शानदार प्रयासों से हम सभी अभिभूत हैं। विशेषकर हॉकी में हमारे बेटे-बेटियों ने जो इच्छाशक्ति दिखाई है, जीत के प्रति जो ललक दिखाई है, वो वर्तमान और आने वाली पीढ़ियों के लिए बहुत बड़ी प्रेरणा है।

देश को गर्वित कर देने वाले पलों के बीच अनेक देशवासियों का ये आग्रह भी सामने आया है कि खेल रत्न पुरस्कार का नाम मेजर ध्यानचंद जी को समर्पित किया जाए। लोगों की भावनाओं को देखते हुए, इसका नाम अब मेजर ध्यानचंद खेल रत्न पुरस्कार किया जा रहा है।

जय हिंद!”