Top 5 Indian Sports Legends Who Have Tournaments Named After Them
So far, many Indian sportspersons have had tournaments named after them as a tribute to their achievements. Some athletes have had remarkable careers, while others have made their sport even greater. From India’s cricket team winning the 1983 ICC World Cup to Neeraj Chopra winning a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, athletes have broken records and set new milestones.
At times, awards are named after these stars, while at other times, competitions are created in their names as a symbol of their greatness. In this article, we will look at the top five sportspersons who have tournaments named after them.
5. Jeev Milkha Singh
The “Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational Golf Tournament,” started in the last decade, is a special invitational golf tournament named after Jeev Milkha Singh. One of the biggest names in Indian golf, Jeev Milkha Singh has made a huge mark in the country’s sports history.
4. Syed Modi
The “Syed Modi International Badminton” tournament is named after former Commonwealth Games gold medalist Syed Modi. He also won a bronze medal in men’s singles at the 1982 Asian Games, which were held in India, along with three international titles.
Sadly, Modi’s career was cut short in July 1988 when he was shot and killed in Lucknow. A memorial tournament was started in his name after his death. The tournament has changed over time and is now a Super 300-level tournament on the BWF World Tour.
3. Neeraj Chopra
The Neeraj Chopra Classic is scheduled to be held on 24 May 2025 at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana. The tournament is named after two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, who is also expected to take part in the event.
World Athletics has confirmed that the event will be a Gold Category meet, making it an important qualifier for the World Championships.
2. Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji
The “Duleep Trophy,” named after Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji, is a domestic first-class cricket tournament played between teams representing different regions of India. It was founded in 1961 and has been held regularly since then.
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Duleepsinhji played cricket before the Indian cricket team was formed, and he also played for the British team.
1. Ranjitsinhji
The biggest domestic cricket event in India, the “Ranji Trophy,” is named after Ranjitsinhji. Like Kumar Shri Duleepsinhji, Ranjitsinhji also represented England during his cricket career. He played first-class cricket for Sussex.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) started this championship in 1934, and since then, the tournament has been held in various states.
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