National Sports Day 2024: Why it is celebrated? Know history, significance & more
National Sports Day 2024: National Sports Day is celebrated annually on August 29. It aims to encourage people of all ages to engage in physical activities, to build and promote a sports culture, and to honour athletes' achievements. Here's everything you need to know.
This day commemorates Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary. Dhyan Chand, also known as the "Wizard of Hockey," made tremendous contributions to India's national sport—hockey—giving the country great pride.
Dhyan Singh, a notable member of the Indian hockey squad, was instrumental in India's first successful Olympic gold medal tally at the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Games. During his 22-year career, he scored more than 400 goals.
Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905. He had followed in his father's footsteps and joined the army. He began his hockey career with the British Indian Army regimental team, where he practised under the moonlight, and worked his way up the ranks until he was selected for the Indian hockey team at the 1928 Olympics.
He helped India achieve its first hat-trick of Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936.
Dhyan Chand earned the titles 'Hockey Wizard' and 'The Magician' for his stick work and mastery of the game; his career lasted from 1926 to 1948, and he went on to become one of the best hockey players in history.
In 1956, he retired as a Major in the Indian Army's Punjab Regiment and got the Padma Bhushan, the country's third-highest civilian award. In addition, to recognise his outstanding achievements, the government of India decided in 2012 to observe his birthday as National Sports Day every year.
Every year on National Sports Day, the President of India bestows all sports-related awards, including the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, to athletes and coaches who have made the nation proud in their respective sports.
The Khelo India movement, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2018, is one of the many sporting initiatives that the government has launched on this day over time. On this day, many tournaments take place across the country. Several colleges, schools, and offices host seminars and sporting events to highlight the significance of the day.
- PTC NEWS
