National Sports Day is observed on August 29 every year in India. The day is commemorates the birth anniversary of the ace hockey player Dhyan Chand. National Sports Day is also known as the Rashtriya Khel Divas.
Significance of National Sports Day:
The National Sports Day in India is celebrated every year on August 29 to highlight the importance of sports in the entire country. Several sports schemes have been introduced by the government over the years with the latest being the Fit India Movement which will be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion itself on Thursday.
On this day, President of India honours eminent sports personalities with major awards including Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dronacharya Awards, and Dhyan Chand Award.
Who is Dhyan Chand?
Major Dhyan Chand, often viewed as ‘The Wizard’ or ‘The Magician of Hockey’ was born on August 29, 1905. He was part of the Indian hockey team which struck gold in the Olympics of 1928, 1932, and 1936. Dhyan Chand is a legendary figure in the Indian and world hockey.
Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad. His father was in the British Indian Army, and he played hockey in the army. Chand started playing hockey when he joined the Indian Army at the age of 16, as a sepoy. It was between 1922 and 1926 where Chand played army hockey tournaments and regimental matches. He retired from the Army in 1956 at the age of 51, with the rank of Major.
During the Los Angeles Olympics, Chand along with his brother Roop scored 25 out of the 35 goals by India. During the Berlin Olympics, Chand once again was selected without formalities. Chand top-scored with 3 goals, Dara scored 2 and Roop Singh, Tapsell and Jaffar one each to defeat Germany in the finals for 8-1.
The ace hockey player was diagnosed with liver cancer and died on December 3, 1979. After the death of Major Dhyan Chand in 1979, the Indian Postal Department also paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand and issued stamps in his honor. As a tribute to him; the National Stadium of Delhi was also renamed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.
