[1]The sports ministry has chosen Dhayan Chand over Sachin Tendulkar as the Bharat Ratna nominee. Sports minister Jitendra Singh has written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to confer Bharat Ratna to hockey legend Dhyan Chand.
The names of both the sports persons were discussed in the meeting but at the end the misnistry thought of going with Dhyan Chand who changed the face of Indian hockey in the 30's and 40's.
However the panel thought that Sachin Tendulkar being an active sportsperson always has a chance to win the award later.
Dhyan Chand became the first Indian sportsperson who can win the award if the President approves. The award is normally bestowed on social workers, musicians, litterateurs and politicians
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/sachin-tendulkar0100jpg-015