Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awards renamed after Major Dhyan Chand

New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, will be renamed after Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. Notably, the prestigious award carries prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

“The Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award respecting the sentiments of citizens across the country,” PM Modi tweeted.

He said that a lot of requests were being received from citizens to name the Khel Ratna Award after Major Dhyan Chand.

“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!” PM wrote on his official Twitter handle today.

Furthermore, he said “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.”

Reacting to this, Congress called it a politically motivated move.

Congress MP K Suresh said, "It's unfortunate. Rajiv Gandhi was PM, he led the country into the 21st century. He encouraged sports, youth. This Govt wants to saffronise and that’s why they gave another name."