The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award was renamed by the Government of India as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in the year _________.

Correct option is A

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was renamed as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in the year 2021. This renaming was announced on August 6, 2021, and it honored the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, whose contribution to Indian hockey is iconic. The decision to rename the award was made to recognize his immense impact on the sport and as a tribute to his legacy.

Important Key Points:

1. The award is the highest sporting honor in India and is given annually for excellence in sports.
2. The renaming of the award took place on August 6, 2021, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand.
3. Major Dhyan Chand was known for his incredible skill in hockey and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1956.
4. The renaming was meant to inspire athletes to achieve greatness, in line with Dhyan Chand’s remarkable legacy.
5. The new name acknowledges Major Dhyan Chand's contribution to Indian and world hockey.
6. The first recipient of the newly renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021 was Neeraj Chopra for his historic gold medal win in the Tokyo Olympics.

Information Booster:

• Major Dhyan Chand's impact on Indian hockey was so great that he is often referred to as the "Wizard of Hockey."
• The renaming of the award in 2021 was a move to ensure that Dhyan Chand’s contributions are permanently enshrined in India's sporting culture.