Context
Every year, National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 on the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
- The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports would be conducting the ‘Meet The Champion’ initiative in 26 schools across the country.
History
- National Sports Day is also called with the name Rashtriya Khel Divas in some parts of India.
- In 1979, the Indian Postal Department paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand after his death and renamed the National Stadium of Delhi as Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.
- In 2012, it was announced that a day must be celebrated as National Sports Day with the motive of spreading awareness about the spirit of sportsmanship and propagating the message of various sports.
- A tribute was given to Major Dhayan Chand on his birth anniversary and announced 29th August as National Sports Day in India.
Who was Dhyan Chand?
- Major Dhyan Chand was born on 29th August 1905, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, as Dhyan Singh, and was well-known in India's pre-independence era.
- Dhyan Chand began his hockey career with a regimental team of the British Indian Army and was devoted to his game.
- In 1936, he was chosen as the captain of the Indian hockey team.
- He became a lieutenant and a captain and was eventually promoted to major.
- He was key in assisting India's first Olympic gold medal hat-trick win at 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Olympics.
- He played internationally for 23 years from 1926 to 1949.
- He was so passionate about hockey, that he used to practise for the game at night in the moonlight which led him to the name, Dhyan Chand.
- In 1956, Dhyan Chand was awarded Padma Bhushan Award, he was the third civilian to get the honour.
- His birth date is celebrated as National Sports Day in India.
Significance
- Rashtriya Khel Diwas OR National Sports Day’s primary motto is to promote awareness about the importance of sports and being physically active in the daily life of all the citizens: older or younger.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
- Recently the Prime Minister has announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be renamed as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
