The Khel Ratna Award will now be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Twitter that the exceptional performance of the men's and women's hockey teams had captured the imagination of the entire nation. 

Terming it as a very positive sign for the coming time, he said that there is a renewed interest in Hockey that is emerging across the length and breadth of India.

"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," he added.

Asserting that Major Dhyan Chand was among India's foremost sportspersons who brought honour and pride for India, Prime Minister Modi said it is fitting that our nation's highest sporting honour will be named after him.

The Khel Ratna Award honours the most outstanding performance by a sportsperson over a period of four years.

To note, there is already an award in Dhyan Chand's name which recognises lifetime contribution to sports development.