New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour of India, will be renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. 

Following the impressive performance of both men's and women's hockey teams in the Tokyo Olympics, the Prime Minister has announced renaming the highest sports award named after Country's legendary sportsperson, Major Dhyan Chand. 

Prime Minister announcement has surfaced controversy, Congress has criticized that Prime Minister's decision was with ulterior motive just to take political advantage by using sports. 

Prime Minister tweeted that after numerous requests he received from across the country, he decided to rename the Khel Ratna award after legendary Hockey hero Dhyan Chand. 

"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.

Read: Tokyo Olympics: India men’s hockey team wins Bronze, ends medal drought

"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!:", Prime Minister tweeted. 

"Respecting their sentiment, the Khel Ratna Award will hereby be called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award!" he said. 

Prime Minister's major announcement came a day after men's hockey team won a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics. It was India's first medal win in hockey at the Games since the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. 

Like India women's hockey team also won the hearts of the nation though team has missed out a medal. The team led by Rani Rampal gave a fight to Rio Olympics gold medalist Great Britain in the bronze medal match but lost the match 3-4. India finished fourth in women's hockey, their best-ever finish at the Games. Prime Minister has congratulated both Men and Women Hockey team for their impressive performance in Tokyo. 

Read: Tokyo Olympics: India women’s hockey team loses against Great Britain in Bronze medal match

However Congress has urged that Narendra Modi Cricekt stadium in Ahmedabad should be renamed after sportsperson. This change only a reeks political vendictivnewss of the pretty government, Congress National spokesperson Dr. Shama Mohamad said.