Fans to rally for Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand

New Delhi-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) Hockey Citizen Group (HCG) will hold a public rally here Wednesday to urge the government to award India's highest civilian honour - the Bharat Ratna - to legendary player Dhyan Chand.

"We announce a public rally to expedite Bharat Ratna for hockey legend Dhyan Chand. We invite all sports lovers, hockey players, present and past, coaches, administrators of sports and public to participate in the rally," said a statement.

The rally will start at 2 p.m. from the Barakhamba Road-Tolstoy Marg inter-section (near Ranjit Singh statue) and pass through Tolstoy Marg with demonstration at Jantar Mantar before proceeding to the prime minister's office to submit a memorandum.

"It is worthwhile to recall that the sports ministry had recommended Bharat Ratna for Major Dhyan Chand long back. Hockey India also supported it. However, things did not move further. Many international and Olympic players, including Ashok Kumar, son of Dhyan Chand, have confirmed their participation," added the statement.

The NGO wants Dhyan Chand to be given the award posthumously along with cricket great Sachin Tendulkar, who became the first sportsperson to be named for the award.