PM Narendra Modi has announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be renamed as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Highlights:
The pass was primarily based on the numerous requests he obtained from across the nation. Dhyan Chand, whose birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day, won three Olympic golds for India in Hockey.
The award was inaugurated in 1991-92. The Khel Ratna award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a prize of Rs.25 lakh. The first awardee of the Khel Ratna was chess legend, Viswanathan Anand. In recent years, some of the winners include cricketer Rohit Sharma, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, womens hockey team captain Rani Rampal, amongst others.