Nagpur: UNION Minister of Surface Transport, Highways and Shipping, Nitin Gadkari dedicated square after hockey legend Major Dhyanchand on Saturday evening.
The square, near Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA) and in front of Patrakar Colony off Amravati Road, was named after the hockey wizard. Dhyanchand’s son, Olympian and World Cup gold medal winner Ashok Kumar was the special guest on the occasion.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was unable to attend the function as he had to fly midway back to Mumbai due to bad weather.
Ruling Party Leader in NMC and VHA executive member Dayashankar Tiwari conducted the proceedings.
Olympian and son of Dhyanchand, Ashok Kumar said it was an emotional moment for him to attend the function.
“It is a very emotional moment for me as son of the legend.
“I am very happy that NMC took this decision to name a square after world’s greatest hockey player,” he said.
Ashok Kumar recalled that how he used to hide his bronze medal while returning home. “I used to hide my Olympic bronze medal from my father. How could I show a bronze medal to a person who himself won three golds,” he said amidst loud laughter.
In his address, VHA president Radheshyam Sarda requested MLA Girish Vyas to push their demand of an astro turf in the city. “I once again request Girish Vyas to push our demand of astro turf,” he said.
Vyas acknowledged Sarda’s request and said that the matter would be taken into consideration during his meeting with Gadkari.
Mayor Pravin Datke, too, assured to take up the matter during the meeting to be held on July 18 at Delhi.
Former Deputy Mayor Munna Pokulwar, requested MLA Vyas to grant funds from his MLA quota for a statue of Dhyanchand at VHA ground.
On the occasion, former deputy mayor Munna Pokulwar, corporator Lata Yadav, Girish Deshmukh, VHA secretary DS Karunashankar, Vice President TN Sidhra, former Deputy Mayor Sunil Agrawal, Deputy Director of Sports Subash Rewatkar and others were present.
