Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Source: PIB

What is the News?

The government of India has announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

About Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award:

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly known as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna) is the highest sporting honour of India.
• It is awarded annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports since 1991-92.
• Named After: The award is named after Dhyan Chand (1905–79)
• The recipients of the award are selected by a committee constituted by the Ministry and are honoured for their “spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports over a period of four years” at the international level. 
• As of 2020, the award comprises a medallion, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.

About Major Dhyan Chand:

• Major Dyan Chand is a three-time Olympic gold medallist.
• He is an Indian Hockey Player widely regarded as the greatest field hockey player of all time.
• His birthday, on August 29, marks National Sports Day, when the National Sports Awards are presented each year.