Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

Purpose: India’s highest sporting honor, awarded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for outstanding performance in sports over four years.
Establishment: Instituted in 1991-1992.
First Recipient: Chess legend Viswanathan Anand.
Notable Winners: Leander Paes, Sachin Tendulkar, Dhanraj Pillay, Pullela Gopichand, Abhinav Bindra, Anju Bobby George, Mary Kom, and Rani Rampal (2020).

Known as "The Wizard" for his exceptional field hockey skills.
Career: Played international hockey from 1926 to 1949, scoring over 400 goals.
Achievements: Part of the Indian team that won Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.
Dhyan Chand Award: India’s highest lifetime achievement award in sports, instituted in 2002.
Dhyan Chand National Stadium: Renamed in his honor in 2002, located in New Delhi.
National Sports Day: Celebrated on 29th August to commemorate his birth anniversary (born 29th August 1905).
Recognition: The President of India awards the Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, and Dhyan Chand Award to eminent athletes on this day.