‘Khel Ratna’ Award Renamed As ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna’

Khel Ratna award is the highest sporting honor of the Republic of India. Until last year, the award is called Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna. However, the government of India decided to rename the award now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the same on Twitter today. The award is rechristened now as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award.

The award is annually announced by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The recipients (sportspersons) are honored for their “spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years” at the international level.

“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!” tweeted Narendra Modi, adding, “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.”

As of 2020, the Khel Ratna award comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.