National Sports Day - 29 August

Tags: Important Days

National Sports Day in India is celebrated every year on 29 August.

An Overview of the News

• The day commemorates the enduring legacy of Major Dhyan Chand, the great Indian hockey player.

• It serves as a tribute to the extraordinary achievements of athletes and their influence in shaping society.

• The theme for this year's National Sports Day celebrations is "Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society".

• People can participate in the celebration by using the hashtag #NationalSportsDay in their social media posts.

History of National Sports Day

• The National Sports Day celebrated in India is based on the birth of Major Dhyan Chand, an eminent sports personality known for his hockey excellence.

• Major Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905, and started his career in the British Indian Army Regimental Team.

• Due to his remarkable skill, India won three consecutive Olympic gold medals in hockey in 1928, 1932 and 1936.

• In 2012, the Government of India declared Major Dhyan Chand's birthday as National Sports Day to honor his unique contribution to sports.

• The primary goal of this declaration was toinspire future generations and emphasize the importance of promoting sports and physical fitness among all strata of society.