Birla awards for Dhyan Chand, Gavaskar, Anand

Hockey wizard Dhyan Chand has been named 'All-time great sports person of the century' by the K K Birla Foundation, for his unique contribution to hockey.

The Foundation also named 'little master' Sunil Gavaskar and World chess champion Vishwanathan Anand as 'Living legends of the century', for their outstanding performances.

The Foundation said the awards, "a one-time measure", carry a cash prize of Rs 100,000 each.

It further added that while selecting the awardee for the 'living legend' category, it was felt that the contributions of both Gavaskar and Anand in their respective fields were unique and, therefore, they should be named joint winners of the award.

"Dyan Chand realised India's Olympic dream single handedly when he brought home the first Olympics gold medal in 1928, at Amsterdam. His name, even today, is synonymous with field hockey, all over the world," the Foundation said in a statement on Monday.

The Foundation said Gavaskar and Anand's contribution to Indian sports is unique in its own way.

"Gavaskar has inspired a whole generation of Indians with his exploits on the cricket field. He was instrumental in making cricket the passion that it is in the country today," it said.

Stating that Chess is one of the most widely reported and also the fastest growing sport in the country today, the Foundation said: "Without Anand, and what the great man has achieved, Indian chess would still perhaps be groping in the dark. He is quite the jewel in India's sporting crown."

Nominations for the awards were invited from various sports organisations, sports journalists associations and eminent sports personalities, the statement said, adding that the selection was done by a special selection board comprising sports experts.