National Sports Day 2022: India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29 to honour the birth anniversary of the hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand. The goal of the day is to raise awareness of the virtues of sports, such as discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork, as well as to encourage the general public to engage in sports and make it a significant part of their lives while highlighting the value of being physically fit and healthy.


The day is also dedicated to the nation's sports heroes and champions, honouring their contributions and dedication to bringing honour to the nation.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the sportspersons on National Sports Day. The Prime Minister also paid tribute to legendary Indian Hockey player Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. 


In a tweet, the Prime Minister said; "Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary. Recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India."





 The Significance Of National Sports Day: 


On August 29, 2012, India observed its first National Sports Day. Major Dhyan Chand who is popularly known as the "Hockey Wizard" and "The Magician," was born on August 29, 1905. Each year National Sports Day commemorates his birth anniversary.


The main goal of National Sports Day is to raise public awareness regarding the value of sports and physical activity in daily life. To spread the word about the importance of National Sports Day, the Indian government also organises a variety of programmes, events, seminars, and other activities. 


Major Dhyan Chand And His Contribution In The Field Of Sports: 


Major Dhyan Chand Singh, a.k.a. "Wizard of Hockey," was born on August 29, 1905, in what is now Praygraj, Uttar Pradesh. Dhyan Chand joined the Indian army as a soldier in 1922 after receiving a basic education. He was the finest hockey player to ever represent India. 


Major Dhyan Chand was a member of the Indian hockey team, which won three gold medals at the Olympics. Dhyan Chand was chosen as the Indian Hockey team's captain at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.


Between 1926 and 1948, Major Dhyan Chand scored approximately 1,000 goals in his whole career, including more than 400 goals on the international stage. The third-highest civilian honour in India, the Padma Bhushan Award, was given to him in 1956. In an effort to honour such a renowned athlete, the Indian government chose to designate his birthday as National Sports Day in 2012. 


National Sports Day is widely observed. Every year, it is held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where the President of India honours the best athletes in the nation with the National Sports Awards.


In 2020, the awards were presented virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the National Sports Award, players and former players are honoured with awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya Award. Along with all these honours, the "Dhyan Chand Award" is also given on this day. 


The Indian Postal Department paid respect to Major Dhyan Chand after his death in 1979 and produced stamps in his honour. The National Stadium of Delhi has been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi as a homage to him.