India celebrates the National Sports Day on 29th August to commemorate the birth ceremony of the country’s hockey star Major Dhyan Chand. He was born on 29th August 1905 in Prayagraj, previously Allahabad (Utter Pradesh).
At the Berlin Olympics in 1936, the Indian hockey team won a Gold medal under the captaincy of Major Dhyan Chand. Let us understand more regarding the National Sports Award, its significance, history, and about Major Dhyan Chand.
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National Sports Day 2021
Sports are regarded as essential for the physical and mental growth of people. The person who plays any game always stays fit and healthy.
There are so many sporting legends in the country, like Sachin Tendulkar – Master Blaster and God of cricket, PT Usha – Udanpari, and Major Dhyan Chand as ‘Hockey Wizards.’
In this post, we will discuss hockey wizard Dhyan Chand. In extension to this, we will understand the purpose behind the observance of National Sports Day.
The nation’s most prestigious hockey champ, ‘Major Dhyan Chand Singh’, globally appreciated as ‘Wizard of Hockey’, was born on 29th August 1905 in Prayagraj city. After receiving preliminary studies, Dhyan Chand joined the Indian army as a soldier in 1922.
National Sports Day history
National Sports Day is marked on 29th August each year in the country. The day is also recognized as Rashtriya Khel Divas. It was initially observed in the year 2012, and since then, it is celebrated each year.
The day is dedicated to Major Dhyan Chand, whose heroics in hockey won the country many medals worldwide. He is regarded as India’s most outstanding hockey athlete ever.
He also led India to three Olympic gold medals consecutively in 1928, 1932, and 1936. In his more than 20 year-long careers, he achieved more than 400 goals for India.
Major Dhyan Chand was given India’s third-highest civilian recognition of Padma Bhushan in 1956 by The Indian Government. The National Sports Day holds a unique place for all sports enthusiasts.
It is also dedicated to honoring the spirit of sportsmanship and expanding this message through different sports.
National Sports Day significance
The primary reason for commemorating National Sports Day is to highlight and increase awareness about the significance of sports and staying healthy in regular life.
After 2012 when people first celebrated the day in India, the government has practiced this day to declare specific sports-related schemes, including the Khelo India campaign. It was stated by the PM of India, Narendra Modi, in 2018.
The President of India also admires various sports personalities with some of India’s respected sporting honors like the Arjuna Awards, Khel Ratna, Dronacharya Awards, and the Dhyan Chand Award.
National Sports Day Celebration
National Sports Day is also observed widely at the national level. It is held each year in the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The country’s president offers National Sports Awards to the several champs who have magnified the power of the tricolor flag worldwide.
Below the National Sports Award, players and past players are honored with several other awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Arjuna Award. Along with all these factors, the “Dhyan Chand Award” is also provided on this day.
In 1979, after his demise, the Indian Postal Department also praised him and published stamps in his tribute. As an honor to him, the Delhi National Stadium has also been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium.
The Indian Government declared the National Sports Awards 2021 on 22 August. This year, the awardees will obtain their awards from President Ram Nath Kovind at an exceptionally held function from Rashtrapati Bhawan through the virtual form.
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