National Sports Day 2023:- In 1926, 1930 and 1936 Olympics, India won gold medal in hockey because of Major Dhyanchand’s hockey magic. During his career, he played 185 matches and scored over 500 goals.
National Sports Day 2023:- Every year, August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. This day honours the wizard of hockey Major Dhyanchand and shows the importance of sports. National Sports Day is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Dhyanchand.
National Sports Day 2023:- All you need to know about Major Dhyanchand
Born on August 29, 1905 in Hyderabad, Major Dhyanchand played a pivotal role in developing hockey game in India. He played hockey internationally from 1926 to 1949. He was the prominent player in making hat-trick of gold medals in the field of hockey in Olympics for India.
In 1926, 1930 and 1936 Summer Olympics, India won gold medal in hockey because of Dhyanchand’s hockey magic. During his career, he played 185 matches and scored over 500 goals. After the independence, India won its first gold medal in hockey in 1948 and Dhyanchand was the leading player in that win.
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In 1956, Dhyanchand had been honoured with the third highest civilian award of India Padma Bhushan. In his honour, India celebrated first National Sports Day on August 29, 2012 and since then it has been celebrated every year.
In 2021, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi renamed the highest civilian award of India ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’ award as ‘Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna’ award.
On the National Sports Day, President honours the nominated players with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, Arjuna award and Dronacharya award at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, India.
Many organisations, schools and colleges organise different programmes, events, games and sports on this day to acknowledge the value of sports in our life. Children take part in the games and prizes are distributed among the winners.
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