National Sports Day: National Sports Day is celebrated every year in India on 29th August i.e. today Hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905. In his honour, today is celebrated as Sports Day across the country. Today we are celebrating the 119th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. The Khel Ratna Award, the biggest honour given in the field of sports in the country, has also been recently named after Major Dhyan Chand. Earlier, the award was known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.


Pm Narendra Modi himself tweeted about it saying, "Amidst the moments that have made the country proud, many countrymen have also urged that the name of Khel Ratna award be dedicated to Major Dhyan Chand ji. In view of the sentiments of the people, its name is now being changed to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Jai Hind. "







Award given by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports  

 

Every year, the award is given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The award is given to those sportspersons who have excelled for the country in the last four years. The Centrally Recognized Federation, Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and various sports boards send the names of their sportspersons to the government for major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. The awardee is awarded a medal, certificate and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.  




History of Khel Ratna 


The Khel Ratna Award started in the year 1991-92. It was then named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi of the country. The main purpose behind this award is to encourage and spread awareness in the field of sports. At the same time, valuing the players by honoring them so that they are well respected.


Who are the strong contenders for the Khel Ratna Award this year 


Like every year, many of the biggest stars of the Indian sports world are in the race for the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. However, one among the other Indian star athletes including 'Golden Boy' Neeraj Chopra, who excelled at the Tokyo Olympics this year, is considered a strong contender for the award. Let's find out which players are in the race for this award this year.



  • Neeraj Chopra - Athletics (Javelin Throw)

  • PR Sreejesh and Deepika Thakur - Hockey

  • Ankur Mittal and Anjum Moudgil - Shooting 

  • Achanta Sharat Kamal - Table Tennis 

  • Shubhankar Sharma - Golf

  • Jyothi Surekha Vennam - Archery 

  • Sunil Chhetri - (Football)

  • Ravichandran Ashwin and Mithali Raj - Cricket 

  • Sai Praneeth and Srikanth Kidambi - Badminton 

  • Musa Sharif - Motorsports 

  • Koneru Hampi - Chess