The Dhyan Chand Award is a sports award in India, named after the legendary Indian hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand. The award is conferred by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to recognize the outstanding contribution in the field of sports.
The Dhyan Chand Award was instituted in 2002 and is awarded annually. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in the field of sports as a player, coach, or for their exceptional contributions to sports administration.
To be eligible for the Dhyan Chand Award, an individual should have made an outstanding contribution to sports over a period of at least 15 years. The contributions could be as a player or a coach, or for excellence in sports administration.
The Dhyan Chand Award consists of a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakh. The medal is in the shape of a circular disc with a diameter of 5 cm, and it has the image of Dhyan Chand engraved on it along with the words 'Dhyan Chand Award' inscribed in Devanagari script.
The selection process for the Dhyan Chand Award involves a committee appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The committee evaluates the nominations received from various sources and selects the deserving candidates based on their achievements and contributions.
Over the years, many prominent sports personalities have been conferred with the Dhyan Chand Award for their exceptional contributions to sports in India. Some of the notable recipients of the award include Sachin Tendulkar, Prakash Padukone, P.T. Usha, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Sushil Kumar.
In conclusion, the Dhyan Chand Award is a prestigious sports award in India, conferred to recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals to the field of sports. The award recognizes excellence in sports as a player, coach, or for sports administration and is considered one of the highest honors in Indian sports.