The meeting between sports minister Jitendra Singh and sports secretary Pradeep K Deb on Wednesday could well be a momentous one, for they made a unanimous decision to nominate hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand for Bharat Ratna over Sachin Tendulkar.

The minister, reportedly, had only two names to consider, and an instant decision was made to honour Dhyan Chand, who helped India win three Olympic gold medals: 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles and 1936 Berlin.

Ever since the hockey legend passed away in 1979, sports personalities have been asking for Dhyan Chand to be bestowed with the highest civilian award for his contribution to hockey.

Should the President of India approve the sports ministry’s recommendation, Dhyan Chand would become the first sportsperson to win this prestigious award. The home ministry is the final authority to vet and recommend the name before sending it to the prime minister who, in turn, will send his recommendation to the President.

A six-member delegation — led by Dhyan Chand’s son Ashok Kumar, grandson Gaurav Singh and Bishan Singh Bedi — met sports minister Jitendra Singh on July 12. Ashok Kumar, himself a former hockey captain, said, “The sports minister assured our delegation that he would personally hand over the letter to the prime minister, recommending my father’s name for the Bharat Ratna. My father was a simple man who toiled hard for hockey, never expecting any rewards in return.”

Meanwhile, former hockey greats have welcomed the decision. “It’s a befitting honour to a person who contributed so much to hockey. It is his name which comes first when anyone talks of Indian hockey. Dhyan Chand is Indian hockey and Indian hockey is Dhyan Chand,” said Aslam Sher Khan, the former Olympian and member of the 1975 World Cup winning team.

Another former Olympian and India captain Vasudevan Baskaran said. “I used to meet this hockey magician quite often during my university hockey camp in Patiala. This step will certainly boost the morale of the youngsters and encourage them to take up this game. Sachin Tendulkar is a master in his own way, but I’m sure he can wait as he has age on his side.”

Ace India drag-flicker Sandeep Singh, said, “It is one of the best news any hockey player can hope to hear. Hopefully, many will prefer the hockey stick over the cricket bat.” Sandeep was seconded by former skipper Viren Rasquinha. “It was overdue and one hopes this award will have a positive impact on the youngsters,” he said.