National Sports Day India 2025: August 29 of every year is celebrated as India’s National Sports Day. The day marks the birth anniversary of the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, widely regarded as the greatest field hockey player of all time.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said that this year’s celebrations will be led by the Fit India Mission. The ministry said that it has launched a “nation-wide sports and fitness movement from August 29 to 31” under the theme ‘Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main’.
“The movement seeks to spread awareness about the importance of dedicating at least 60 minutes daily to physical activity for preventing lifestyle diseases,” said the ministry in a Press Information Bureau release.
“Eminent athletes and public representatives are also set to take part in the celebrations and engage with sports activities in all corners of the nation. Renowned sportspersons will be stepping onto the playgrounds at State capitals as well as across all districts on 29th August.”
Who was Major Dhyan Chand?
Dhyan Chand’s extraordinary ball-control and ability to score goals resulted in his fame extending beyond hockey. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
The National Sports Day marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, who was born on August 29, 1905. Widely rated as the greatest field hockey player of all-time, Dhyan Chand was the talisman of the legendary Indian teams that dominated the Olympics from before the Second World War from 1929 to 1936. His legacy continued even after he retired as India won the hockey gold in 1948 – the first Olympics to be held after the end of World War II, 1952 and 1956. They won silver in 1960 after losing the final to Pakistan but beat them in the next edition to win gold again in 1964.
Dhyan Chand’s extraordinary ball-control and ability to score goals resulted in his fame extending beyond hockey, with cricket great Don Bradman telling him that he scored goals “like runs in cricket”. Apart from the National Sports Day commemorating his birth anniversary, the highest sporting honour in India- the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award, is also named after him.
When was the National Sports Day first commemorated and why is it celebrated?
The National Sports Day was first celebrated in 2012. The main reason for celebrating the day is to promote sports activities in the country. Importantly, it is also the day when the National Sports Awards are given to athletes by the President of India as a recognition of their achievements.
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Which are the National Sports Awards that are presented by the President annually on National Sports Day?
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna – The highest sporting honour in the country
Arjuna Award – The second highest sporting honour
Dronacharya Award – The highest sporting honour for coaches
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy – To commemorate top performances in university-level competitions
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar – To recognise private and public organisations for their efforts in promoting sports over the period of last three years.
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