India, on 29 August, celebrates National Sports Day every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey stalwart, Major Dhyan Chand. The day celebrates the importance of physical activity, sports, and overall health.
The day is also dedicated to the Indian sports superheroes and champions, honouring their contribution and hard work to bring laurels to the country. In recent years, there has been a renaissance in Indian sports as athletes have produced historic performances in major sporting events like the Olympics, Commonwealth Games etc.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted about the significance of the day as he posted, “Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary. The recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India.”
Here’s all you need to about National Sports Day:
What is the history behind National Sports Day?
The first National Sports Day was celebrated in India on August 29, 2012, to honour Major Dhyan Chand, who was born on August 29, 1905.
What is the significance of National Sports Day?
The primary motive behind National Sports Day is to raise awareness about the importance of sports and being physically active in daily life for all citizens. The government also organises multiple programs, events, seminars etc to raise awareness about the significance of physical fitness and sports in life.
Who was Major Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand was a key figure in the history of Indian Hockey. Dhyan Chand was known as the 'Wizard of Hockey'. He rose to prominence in the pre-independence period as the star of the Indian hockey team. He was pivotal in India’s Olympic gold medals with wins at the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics. He retired as a Major in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1956 and was given the Padma Bhushan - the third-highest civilian award - the same year.
