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The Khel Ratna Award Renamed As Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today.

Aug 6, 2021, 10:24 AM2 min read

The Khel Ratna Award Renamed As Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today via his twitter account. Moreover, The renaming recognises the ultimate hockey hero and legend of the sport, Dhyan Chand. However, this is the highest sporting honour of India now will be called Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award has renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today via his twitter account. | Sportzpoint


Read Also : Official: FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi part ways

The change comes at a time India's hockey teams have captivated the imagination of the nation with their performance at the Tokyo Olympics.com. However, The women's hockey team today narrowly missed out on a bronze medal drawing curtains on its spirited show at the Olympics. Yesterday, the men's hockey team won an Olympic bronze after a wait of 41 years.
"The exceptional performance of the Men's and Women's Hockey Team has captured the imagination of our entire nation. There is a renewed interest towards Hockey that is emerging across the length and breadth of India. This is a very positive sign for the coming times," the Prime Minister said in another tweet, just before announcing the new name for the award.

Narendra Modi Tweets Today

Dhyan Chand's birthday is celebrated as National Sports Day. Moreover, he won three Olympic golds for the country.
Commending the decision, former hockey skipper Ajitpal Singh noted though the recognition came in late, it's better than never.

"It's a welcome move. It's a good decision which the Prime Minister has taken. Sports awards should always be in the name of sportspersons and there is no bigger sportsperson in the country other than Dhyanchand ji. The recognition came late but better late than never," Mr. Singh told PTI. Olympic bronze-winning boxer Vijender Singh said honouring the memory of Dhyan Chand is a good move, but that alone will not be enough.

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Full list of nominations of Hockey India Annual Awards 2024

Hardik Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sangita Kumari and Savita Punia have been nominated for the Hockey India Best Player Award in the Hockey India Annual Awards 2024.

Mar 11, 2025, 8:07 AM3 min read

Full list of nominations of Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 | sportzpoint.com
Deepika has been nominated for the Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year. Image | Hockey India

Hockey India have announced all the nominations for the 7th Hockey India Annual Awards 2024. The award ceremony will take place on 15th March in New Delhi with a record prize pool of approx INR 12 crores. 

Read Also | Yo-Yo Test: Hardik Singh’s Revelation Sparks Debate Between Fitness of Cricketers and Hockey Players

A total of 32 players have been nominated across eight categories for the award ceremony this year. Among all the awards, the Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year will be under the spotlight which will honour the best male and female hockey players of India. 

PR Sreejesh - Full list of nominations of Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 | sportzpoint.com
PR Sreejesh has been nominated for the Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2024. Image | Hockey India

During the ceremony, India’s Olympic bronze medal-winning team will be felicitated, along with the Men’s and Women’s teams that won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2024. The Junior Asia Cup-winning Men’s and Women’s teams will also be honoured during the award ceremony.

The award ceremony will also celebrate 50th anniversary of the Indian Men’s Hockey Team’s historic World Cup victory on the same date in 1975—their first and only title to date.

Read Also | The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025

The Nominees for the Hockey India Annual Awards 2024 are:

Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2024 

1. Bichu Devi Kharibam

 2. Krishan Bahadur Pathak

 3. PR Sreejesh

 4. Savita 

Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year 2023

1. Sanjay

2. Amit Rohidas

3. Harmanpreet Singh

4. Udita

 Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2024

1. Jarmanpreet Singh 

2. Hardik Singh

3. Nilakanta Sharma

 4. Sumit

Read Also | Amir Ali: A Journey From "tin briefcase" to Hockey Glory

 Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year 2024 

1. Lalremsiami

2. Abhishek

3. Sukhjeet Singh

4. Navneet Kaur

 Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21) 

1. Beauty Dungdung

2. Deepika

3. Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke

4. Sunelita Toppo

Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21)

 1. Arshdeep Singh

 2. Amir Ali

 3. Shardanand Tiwari

 4. Araijeet Singh Hundal

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year (Women)

1. Savita Punia

 2. Salima Tete

 3. Sangita Kumari

 4. Navneet Kaur

Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of The Year (Men)

1. Abhishek

2. Hardik Singh

3. Harmanpreet Singh

 4. Sukhjeet Singh

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The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025

These young athletes have already showed their potential on the international stage, contributing to India’s recent successes. Here’s a look at some rising stars in the Indian hockey setup who are poised to play important roles in the coming years.

Feb 8, 2025, 11:55 AM4 min read

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

The future of Indian hockey looks promising with a new generation of talented players making their mark at both junior and senior levels. 

These young athletes have already showed their potential on the international stage, contributing to India’s recent successes. 

Here’s a look at some rising stars in the Indian hockey setup who are poised to play important roles in the coming years.

Amir Ali | Defender 

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

Amir Ali, the captain of the Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team, is set to make his mark in the upcoming Hockey India League (HIL) 2024-25.

Bagged by Team Gonasika for a remarkable INR 34 lakh at the HIL auction, Amir’s rise from humble beginnings to the top of Indian hockey is nothing short of inspirational.

Amir, who is a defender, recently led the Indian Team to a Junior Asia Cup title win and now he is excited to play in the upcoming Hockey India League while aiming to continue his winning momentum.

Amir also played for the senior Indian team that won gold at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy.

Rohit | Defender

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team defender Rohit is quickly becoming one of the star defenders in Indian hockey. 

He was an integral part of the 2023 Junior Asia Cup title-winning team, and the Bronze medal-winning team at the Sultan of Johor Cup 2023 and 2024 as well.

Playing for Hockey Chandigarh, Rohit has gained valuable international display, including at the 2023 FIH Junior World Cup.

Ankit Pal | Midfielder

Ankit Pal’s rise in Indian hockey is an inspiring story of resilience. 

At just 19, the midfielder has already represented India at the 2023 Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, where he made a significant impact.

Known for his ability to transition seamlessly between defence and attack, Ankit is a player with a bright future. 

Mukesh Toppo | Defender

Mukesh Toppo of Odisha is a standout defender in Indian hockey. 

Representing the Punjab Hockey Club Academy, Mukesh has made significant contributions to the Indian junior men’s team.

His defensive skills were on full display during important tournaments like the Sultan of Johor Cup and the Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup. 

Abhishek Nain | Forward

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

Olympic bronze medal-winning forward Abhishek Nain has quickly established himself as a key forward in the Indian men’s hockey team. 

He made his international debut in 2022 and has since played a crucial role in India’s success at the 2022 Asian Games and Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Having played 74 matches for India, Abhishek is no stranger to high-pressure situations.

Abhishek was the second-highest paid player in the revived Hockey India League auctions behind India captain Harmanpreet Singh (Rs 78 lakh), fetching Rs 72 lakh from Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers.

Vivek Sagar Prasad | Midfielder

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

Vivek Sagar Prasad from Bhopal is one of Indian hockey’s brightest stars. 

At just 17, he became the second-youngest player to debut for India.

Since then, the creative playmaker has made over 100 international appearances for India.

He also led the Indian junior hockey team to a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games 2018 in Buenos Aires.

In the same year, Vivek helped India win bronze at the Asian Games in Jakarta and silver at the Champions Trophy in the Netherlands.

The Indian hockey player was also declared the FIH Men's Rising Star of the Year in 2019.

Playing as a midfielder, Prasad was instrumental in India's bronze medal finish at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.

He was named FIH Young Player of the Year in 2021.

In 2022, Vivek Sagar Prasad helped India win silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In 2023, He was part of the Indian team that won gold medals at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai and the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Sanjay Rana | Defender 

The New Age Indian Hockey Stars: Who to Watch in 2025 - Sportzpoint.com

The Indian Men's Hockey Team player Sanjay, who is a formidable defender and drag-flicker, made his olympic debut in Paris where the team clinched bronze. 

Hailing from Haryana, Sanjay has already earned a reputation as one of India’s most dependable defenders.

He rose through the ranks at the Chandigarh Hockey Academy, making his international debut in 2019.

Sanjay made his senior team debut in June 2022 and quickly made an impact by helping India win the inaugural FIH Hockey5s. 

He has also participated in major tournaments such as the 19th Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou, China, and the Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023, where the team clinched Gold medals. 

His performance in the FIH Odisha Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Bhubaneswar 2021 earned India a 4th position, and he secured a silver medal in the 3rd Youth Olympic Games 2018.

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Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List

The Khel Ratna Award 2024 was conferred upon four distinguished athletes: Harmanpreet Singh, Manu Bhaker, Gukesh D, and Praveen Kumar. The award ceremony will take place on January 17, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Jan 3, 2025, 9:50 AM3 min read

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List - Sportzpoint.com

Four players, including Manu Bhaker, who won two Olympic medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, and World Chess Championship winner Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh will be honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024. The National Sports Award 2024 has been announced by the Sports Ministry on Thursday.

Also Read: Beatrice Chebet becomes the first woman to run 5km under 14 minutes in Barcelona

Apart from Manu and Gukesh, Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh and Paralympian Praveen Kumar will also be given the Khel Ratna Award 2024. 

The award ceremony will take place on January 17, 2025, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

Khel Ratna Award 2024: Winners List

S. No. Sportperson Discipline
1 Shri Gukesh Dommaraju Chess
2 Shri Harmanpreet Singh Hockey 
3 Shri Praveen Kumar Para-Athletics
4 Ms. Manu Bhaker Shooting 

Manu won double medal in Paris Olympics

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List - Sportzpoint.com

Manu Bhaker, 22, became the first player from independent India to win two medals in the same Olympics when she won bronze medals in the 10m air pistol individual and mixed team events at the Paris Games in August. On the basis of his two medals, India won a total of 6 medals in the Paris.

18 year old Gukesh is the new youngest world champion

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List - Sportzpoint.com

18-year-old Indian Grandmaster Gukesh Dommaraju became the youngest world champion and was also instrumental in the Indian team's historic gold medal in the Chess Olympiad last year. He defeated defending champion Ding Liren of China in the final.

Gukesh has become the first player in the world to win the title at such a young age. Earlier in 1985, Russia's Garry Kasparov had won this title at the age of 22.

Harmanpreet-led India won bronze in Paris

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List - Sportzpoint.com

Under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Singh, the Indian hockey team won a medal for the second consecutive Olympics. They won the bronze medal in the Paris Olympics and the gold medal in the Asian Games 2022. At the same time, Harmanpreet has won the title of Player of the Year at FIH Awards three times.

Praveen won Paralympic gold with a record in high jump

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024: Full Winners List - Sportzpoint.com

Para high jumper Praveen Kumar surprised everyone by winning the gold medal with an Asian record in the men's high jump at the Paris Paralympics. Praveen, who won a silver medal in the Tokyo Paralympics, gave the best performance of his career in the T64 event and registered his name in history by clearing a height of 2.08 meters.

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PM Modi congratulates Arjun Erigaisi for becoming the youngest Indian to breach 2800 Elo rating in Chess

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Arjun Erigaisi after the Indian chess grandmaster went past the 2800 mark in the live chess ratings recently.

Oct 27, 2024, 10:09 AM3 min read

PM Modi congratulates Arjun Erigaisi for becoming the youngest Indian to breach 2800 Elo rating in Chess

Arjun Erigaisi, who recently crossed the 2800 mark (achieving 2802.1) in the live chess rating, has been congratulated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.

On Thursday, October 24, Erigasi created history by being the youngest ever Indian to break the presitigious 2800 Elo rating threshold. Not only that, he is the second India after the great Viswanathan Anand to achieve this feat.

PM Modi congratulates Arjun Erigaisi on Twitter

Arjun-Erigaisi-sportzpoint.com
Courtesy: PTI

PM Modi took his X (formerly Twitter) handle, acknowledging Arjun Erigaisi's phenomenal achievement and congratulating him. 

He mentioned that the 21 years old will keep on encouraging and inspiring generation throughout the country.

"Congratulations to Arjun Erigaisi for crossing the 2800 mark in live chess ratings! This is a phenomenal feat. His exceptional talent and perseverance make our entire nation proud. In addition to being a great personal milestone, it will also inspire many more youngsters to play chess and shine on the global stage. Wishing him the very best for his future endeavours," wrote Modi

Arjun Erigaisi, third youngest in the world to achieve 2800

Alireza-Firouza-sportzpoint.com
Alireza Firouza is youngest to cross 2800 Elo Rating mark

Arjun was competing for Team Alkaloid in the 2024 European Chess Club Cup. There he defeated Russia's Dmitry Andreikin in the fifth round, playing with the White pieces.

The win not only gave the World Number 3 rank on the live ranking ranking list, but also made him the 16th player surpassing 2800.

Alireza Firouza, from France, reached 2800 when he was 18 years and five months old. Till now, he is the youngest player to achieve that, having the present-day sensation Magnus Carlsen in the second. Arjun stands third in the list.

Here’s a list of all 16 chess players who have crossed the coveted 2800 Elo rating mark and their all-time highest rating:

1 | Magnus Carlsen (NOR) - 2882

Magnus Carlsen-sportzpoint.com
Courtesy: Getty Images

2 | Garry Kasparov (RUS): 2851

Garry Kasparov-sportzpoint.com

3 | Fabiano Caruana (USA): 2844

Fabiano Caruana-sportzpoint.com

4 | Levon Aronian (ARM): 2830

Levon Aronian-sportzpoint.com

5 | Wesley So (USA) - 2822

Wesley So-sportzpoint.com

6 | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (AZE): 2820

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov-sportzpoint.com

7 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA): 2819

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave-sportzpoint.com

8 | Viswanathan Anand (IND): 2817

ViswanathanAnand-sportzpoint.com

9 | Vladimir Kramnik (RUS): 2817

 Vladimir Kramnik -sportzpoint.com

10 | Veselin Topalov (BUL): 2816

Veselin Topalov-sportzpoint.com

11 | Hikaru Nakamura (USA) - 2816

Hikaru Nakamura-sportzpoint.com

12 | Ding Liren (CHN): 2816

 Ding Liren -sportzpoint.com

13 | Alexander Grischuk (RUS) - 2810

Alexander Grischuk-sportzpoint.com

14 | Alireza Firouzja (FRA) - 2804

Alireza Firouzja-sportzpoint.com

15 | Arjun Erigaisi (IND) - 2802.1

Arjun Erigaisi-sportzpoint.com

Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri also crossed the 2800 mark in the live rating list in 2015 but his slipped outside before the end of the month and does not feature in the official rating list.

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Hockey India League Auction Starts Today With Over 1,000 Players; Here are the Details

Hockey India League auction kicks off today with 1,000+ players, including legends across men's and women's teams. Here are all the details you need to know.

Oct 13, 2024, 7:00 AM2 min read

Hockey India League Auction Starts Today With Over 1,000 Players; Here are the Details

The most anticipated Hockey India League auction will start today, October 13th, at New Delhi and will continue till October 15th. More than 1,000 players have registered for the auction. This includes more than 400 domestic players. and over 150 international players. Apart from the playing hockey players in India, retired stalwarts like Rupinder Pal Singh and Birendra Lakra.

The women's league has more than 250 domestic players and 70+ overseas players registered for the tournament.

Earlier, Hockey India had already mentioned the limited venues assigned for the tournament. These are: Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, and Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, Odisha. Ranchi will host all the women's matches while the men's matches will take place in Rourkela.

Read Also: Hockey India League back after 7 years: All you need to know about it 

The Team Basics

Irespective of the men's and women's teams, each team can have a maximum of 24 players. Each team cannot bag more than 8 overseas players and should have 24 indigenous players that include at least 4 juniors.

How many teams will play the tournament?

The men's league will play 8 teams this year. The inaugural women's league will play 6 teams. The franchises that have confirmed their investment are

  • Charles Group, 
  • Yadu Sports,
  • JSW Sports,
  • Shrachi Sports, 
  • SG Sports and Entertainment,
  • Vedanta Limited,
  • Resolute Sports,
  • Navoyam Sports Ventures Private Limited

Purse details:

Each of the eight men's team will have a budget of 4 crores, while the women's tean will have 2 crore for the procedure.

As per the auction procedure, there is no upper limit of expenditure on a particular player, but accumulating the required number of players must be done within the purse.

Base price:

Three categories have been induced according to the ranks of each player: Rs 2 lakh (for juniors), Rs 5 lakh, and Rs 10 lakh.

Where to watch the auction?

Hockey India League has initiated their own Hockey India League Youtube channel where they will live stream the entire lauction procedure.

Other than that, DD Sports will broadcast the auction live, from Sunday.

On the first day, ie, 13th October, the auction will start from 2 pm. On the next two days, the auction procedure will commence on and from 9:30 am. in the morning.

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