Ranchi, May 11: Hockey India today recommended the name of Jharkhand's hockey legend Sylvanus Dungdung (in picture) for Dhyan Chand Award, the government of India's highest award for lifetime achievement in sports.

The apex hockey body today announced names of players it has recommended this year for the prestigious Arjuna, Dronacharya and Dhyan Chand awards.

The inclusion of 67-year-old Dungdung's name on the list brought cheers among the hockey fraternity and fans in his home state.

"S. Dungdung, an unsung hero of Indian hockey, had struck the golden goal against Spain in 1980 Olympics which brought home the elusive Gold Medal after a disappointing outing for the nation in the Montreal Olympics in 1976 when India had missed the podium," read the official Hockey India statement.

"He (Dungdung) is perhaps one of the few living legends of the golden era of Indian hockey. Jharkhand takes pride in him and I am personally elated to know about his recommendation. We are sure he will receive the award. He fully deserves it," sports minister Amar Kumar Bauri told The Telegraph.

Hockey Jharkhand president Bhola Nath Singh also hailed the decision.

"Dungdung truly deserves the award. It was long due. We recommended his name this year to Hockey India and it is great that the apex body agreed with us," Singh said.

Originally from Simdega, Dungdung, who is now employed by state sports department as a sports coordinator on a contract basis, along with another hockey Olympian from the state Manohar Topno, said he was "feeling good" about the news.

"I don't know if the name Dungdung is still relevant in national hockey circuit. Many top names and players have emerged since the past 30-35 years," he said humbly. "But, I feel honoured."

A straightforward man, Dungdung didn't mince words when he said the quality of players and the game in Jharkhand had drastically fallen over the years.

"This April, the state women's team lost badly in senior national tournament held in Bangalore. Just last week, our sub-junior women's team lost in the national meet held in Morabadi, Ranchi. There was time when this state was the school for hockey players who served the country. We are not producing a talent pool of that stature of late," he said.

Why not? "Where are the facilities and coaches to groom the players?" he asked. ?Dungdung makes Rs 15,000 as a sports coordinator every month, a job that entails visiting residential sports centres run by the government to see if food is given on time, lodging and boarding facilities and coaches get timely pay or not.

"It gives me Rs 5,000 more than my previous job as a hockey coach, and Manohar told me, dada, let's do it, it's better than starving. But, believe me, my heart lies in the hockey field, training emerging players. At 67, I am still fit enough to coach kids," said the veteran, his face breaking out into a rare smile.