National Sports Day India 29 August: Remembering legendary Hockey Player Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary

National Sports Day is observed on August 29 every year to honour hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The day marks the birth anniversary Major Dhyan Chand Singh who won gold medals in Olympics for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. Major Dhyan Chand scored 570 goals in his career.

The day is also dedicated to the nations’ sports heroes and champions, honoring their contribution and dedication towards bringing laurels to the country.

The day aims to raise awareness about the values of sports: discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, teamwork and to encourage the public in large to take up sports and make it an integral part of their lives while emphasizing on the importance of being fit and healthy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the National Sports Day and said the recent years have been great for sports. He also paid tributes to hockey wizard Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary.

"Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary. The recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India," he tweeted.

Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary.

The recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India. pic.twitter.com/g04aqModJT

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2022

Major Dhyan Chand Famous Quotes 

“It is not my country’s duty to push me ahead. It is my duty to push my country ahead.”

“If you could not get a goal from that you did not deserve to be on my team.”

This year, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports would be conducting the 'Meet The Champion' initiative in 26 schools across the country on Monday.

Athletes including Commonwealth Games (CWG) and World Championships Gold Medalist Nikhat Zareen, Paralympics and CWG medalist Bhavina Patel, Tokyo Olympics and CWG medalist Manpreet Singh would be part of the initiative .

Started by Olympic Gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in December last year,  'Meet the Champions' is a unique school visit campaign.

The initiative has reached various parts of the country over the past few months. During the school visit, the champion athlete shares their experiences, life lessons, and tips on how to eat right and also gives an overall inspirational boost to school children.

The ‘Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ (MYAS) and ‘Fit India Mission’ aim to take FIT India movement to Schools/Colleges/Ministries/Govt & Pvt Organisations by encouraging them to participate in a grand manner on the occasion of National Sports Day on 29th August.

On this day, Schools/Colleges/Ministries/Govt & Pvt Organisations should encourage their students/employees/staff to take part in sports/fitness activities for at least 1 hour.