Dilip Tirkey leads Dhyan Chand rally in Bhubneswar

With just handful days left before Bharat Ratna to be conferred to a sportsperson for the first time, the demand to honor Dhyan Chand with this prestigious award has gained momentum, at least in Bhubbeswar, where in a week’s time the Hockey India League matches will be held with city’s own team in the fray.

First rally for award of Bharat Ranta was held in the national capital on 8th Jan by hockey fans and former players — organized by the Hockey Citizen Group — before other cities have picked up, latest being Amritsar in Punjab

Hockey fans in Amritsar held a rally on 20th Jan demanding Bharat Ratna for hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.

Not to lack behind, Bhubaneswar have also picked up the gauntlet, geared up demanding the same.

In Bhubaneswar, sportspersons including former hockey captain Dilip Tirkey, Olympian sprinter Anuradha Biswal; former football captain Sradhanjali Samantray echoed the same.

Dilip Tirkey is a renowned hockey player and also Member of Parliament.

He even raised the issue with the government of India during a parliamentary debate last year.

Padamshree Dilip Tirkey and other sports personalities mentioned above took part in the rally that saw them walking down the main streets of Bhubneswar on Wednesday.

The government had announced the highest civilian award for Sachin Tendulkar last year after he retired from all forms of cricket.

“Let us not make it a Sachin Vs Dhyan Chand. Dhyan Chand is a legend and he should be conferred with this prestige “said Narinder Batra, Secretary, hockey India, on asked specifically on the issue during a press meet yesterday.

Certainly, he is missing the point. What has he or his organization has done to honour the legend he speaks about?