Ministry writes to PMO requesting Bharat Ratna for hockey legend Dhyan Chand
The Sports Ministry has written to the Prime Minister’s Office, requesting Bharat Ratna for the late Dhyan Chand in what can considered be its latest push to bestow the hockey legend with India’s highest civilian honour. Sports Minister Vijay Goel confirmed that he has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Yes, we have written to the Prime Minister about Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand. Conferring the honour posthumously will be a fitting tribute to his exceptional service to the country,” Goel said. previous government.
thrower Neeraj Chopra’s exploits at the IAAF World under-20 athletics championship last year --- he won gold with a world record --- will be a big inspiration for the 800-odd athletes, who will begin their quest for medals at the 15th Federation Cup National Junior Championships beginning here on Saturday. Achieving a qualification mark at the three-day championship, to be held at the 35th battalion, PAC stadium, will help them earn a place in the team for the IAAF World under-20 championship, to be held at Tampere in Finland for July 10-15. Chopra’s world record of 86.48m at Bydgoszcz in Poland fetched India their maiden gold in the worlds. Before him, discus throwers Seema Antil (bronze 2002) and Navjeet Kaur Dhillon (bronze 2014) had won medals in the world junior championships.
Massimiliano Allegri has signed a two-year contract extension as coach of Juventus, less than a week after the Turin giants lost the Champions League final for the second time in three years. Allegri’s deal with the club was set to expire in June 2018, but on Wednesday he agreed to remain at the helm until 2020. Media reports said Allegri is set to earn up to 6.5 million euros a year plus 1.5 million in bonuses.
Sikki Reddy and HS Prannoy sought External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s intervention they did not get their visas ahead of the Canada Open GP, slated from July 11 to 16. “Hi Ma’m this is Sikki Reddy badminton player (World Rank 15) we players have applied visa for Canada to participate in the Canada Open. It’s been 10 days and we still haven’t received our passports from embassy (sic). Can u please look into it and help us Ma’m,” she posted on Twitter.