The government has decided to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award , India’s highest sporting honour, after Dhyan Chand, even though an...
The government has decided to rename the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honour, after Dhyan Chand, even though an award in the name of the hockey legend already exists.
The Dhyan Chand Award for Life-time Achievement in Sports and Games was introduced in 2016. It honours Indians who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to help promote sports even after their retirement from active sporting careers.
Meanwhile, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, which will now be referred to as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, recognises sportspersons who have excelled at the international level over a period of four years.
The Khel Ratna Award carries a cash reward of Rs 25 lakh, while the Dhyan Chand Award for Life-time Achievement carries Rs 5 lakh. Both the awards are granted annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Those who have already received the Khel Ratna, the Arjuna Award or Dronacharya Award (for coaches) are not eligible to apply for Dhyan Chand Award for Life-time Achievement in Sports and Games.
Social media users pointed out that having two sporting awards in the country named after the same person could lead to confusion.
“Don’t we already have Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement award in sports? journalist Alok Deshpande tweeted. “How logical...
