‘Major Dhyanchand Singh’ who was also known as ‘Wizard of Hockey’ was the biggest hockey player of India. He was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad city and to mark his birthday, August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day.
After getting a basic education, Dhyanchand joined the Indian army as the soldier in 1922. Major Dhyanchand Singh’ was a true sportsperson; he was motivated to play hockey by Subedar Major Tiwari. Dhyanchand started playing hockey under his supervision.
He is a legendary figure in Indian and world hockey. The most noted memorials for him is the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games in India, and the National Sport day celebrations on his birthday. Major Dhyan Chand learned the game of hockey from his coach Pankaj Gupta. There is no who has reached his level in hockey.
Dhyanchand won gold medals in Olympics for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. He scored over 400 goals in his career, from 1926 to 1948.
National Sports Day Celebration
National Sports Day is organized every year in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President of the country gives National Sports Awards to the respective winners who have enhanced the value of the tricolor flag all over the world.
Under the National Sports Award, players and former players are honored with many other awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award. Along with all these honors, “Dhyanchand Award” is also given on this day.
After the death of Major Dhyanchand 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 has also renamed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.
