Image Courtesy : www.twitter.com/narendramodi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has renamed the highest sports honour Khel Ratna Award after Hockey Legend Major Dhyan Chand.

PM Modi said that he has been receiving many requests from citizens across the country to rename the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand. He said that the Aard has been renamed the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award respecting the citizens' sentiments.

Major Dhyan Chand was among the foremost sportspersons of India who brought pride and honour for 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.



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

The announcement came at the moment of Indian Hockey Teams exceptional performance in the Tokyo Olympics 2020. The Men's Hockey Team has won an Olympic Bronze medal after 41 years whereas the Women's Hockey Team lost the bronze medal match but performed outstandingly at the Olympics.

PM Modi, through his Twitter handle, also congratulated both the teams for their amazing performances.

Dhyan Chand won 03 Olympic golds for the nation. His birthday is also celebrated as the National Sports Day.

The decision has been pleasantly welcomed by the nation as several ministers and sports personalities tweeted in support of the decision.

Former Hockey Skipper Ajitpal Singh wrote, "Though the recognition came in late, it's better than never".

Sports Minister Anurag Thakur also welcomed the gesture.

Major Dhyan Chand is ????????India’s most legendary & loved sporting icons; it is only befitting that India’s Highest Sporting Honour be named after him.



His life and achievements have inspired generations of sportspersons who have achieved glory for India. https://t.co/O63pPWTFwy

— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 6, 2021

The prestigious award carries a prize money worth of Rs.25 lakh along with a medallion, and a certificate.

Some of the recipients of the Khel Ratna are Chess legend Viswanathan Anand (1st recipient), cricketer Rohit Sharma, women's hockey team captain Rani Rampal, wrestler Vinesh Phogat, among others.