Neeraj Chopra should get Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award this year, says former footballer

Neeraj Chopra had won the first gold medal for India in track and field events this year at the Olympics after throwing the javelin for a distance of 87.58m.

Former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who has been a part of the National Sports Committee, on Tuesday said Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra deserves the Khel Ratna Award this year.

Neeraj Chopra had won the first gold medal for India in track and field events this year at the Olympics after throwing the javelin for a distance of 87.58m.

"This time the committee will have to face a challenge because there are many players who are deserving for awards, not this time, every time the election committee faces challenges. But this time task will be harder as we have a lot of medallists and in my opinion, the Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award will go to Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra as he brought India its first gold in track and field events at the Olympics," Bhutia told ANI.