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Hockey Legend's Son Expresses Regret Over Dhyan Chand's Bharat Ratna Snub

Ashok Kumar, son of hockey icon Dhyan Chand and former Indian captain, has voiced disappointment that his father never received India's highest civilian honour. Kumar was invited by the Tripura government for a statue unveiling ceremony.

LSN India · 29 August 2026

Ashok Kumar, the accomplished son of hockey legend Dhyan Chand and a former captain of the Indian national team, has expressed his anguish over his father's failure to receive the Bharat Ratna during his lifetime. The sentiment came to light when Kumar attended a special event organised by the Tripura government for the unveiling of a statue honouring the hockey great.

Dhyan Chand, widely regarded as one of the finest hockey players of all time, represented India across three Olympic Games and led the country to gold medals during an era when Indian hockey dominated the international stage. His extraordinary skill and contribution to the sport remain unmatched in the annals of Indian athletic history.

Despite his monumental achievements and lasting legacy in Indian sports, the hockey stalwart was never conferred the Bharat Ratna, the nation's most prestigious civilian award. This omission has been a subject of considerable discussion among sports enthusiasts and former players who believe his contributions warranted the highest state recognition.

Ashok Kumar's presence at the Tripura statue unveiling underscored the enduring reverence for Dhyan Chand across India. The event served as another reminder of the hockey legend's profound impact on the nation's sporting heritage, even as questions persist about whether his accomplishments received adequate institutional recognition during his lifetime.