National Sports Day ,Background and Major Dhyan Chand

Every year since 2012, the country has observed 29 August as National Sports Day. This day pays tribute to one of the greatest hockey players in the world, Major Dhyan Chand, also known as a ‘Wizard of Hockey’.

29 August is the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, whose wizardry with a hockey stick was instrumental in securing India a gold medal in the 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, and 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.

Background to the National Sports Day 

The government of India started National Sports Day in 2012 to promote sports culture in the country and honour sports persons' achievements. On this day, the President of India gives sports-related awards, and the government uses this day to launch various sports-related schemes, like Khelo India, which was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

Who was Major Dhyan Chand?

Dhyan Chand was born as Dhyan Singh on August 29, 1905, in Prayagraj (earlier Allahabad) in Uttar Pradesh.

He joined the British India Army and took up Hockey while serving in the Army.

He used to practice hockey at night under the moonlight, so he was nicknamed Dhyan Chand. The moon is called Chand in Hindi.

He represented India in the 1928 Amsterdam Summer Olympics, where India won a gold medal.

From 1928 until his retirement in 1948, he ruled the world of hockey, earning him the nicknames 'Hockey Wizard' and 'The Magician'.

He represented India in 185 matches and scored over 400 goals during this period.

Dhyan Chand retired as a Major in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1956. At the age of 74 years, he passed away in 1979.

Honours and Award for Major Dhyan Chand

Major Dhyan Chand was bestowed India’s third highest civilian award -Padma Bhushan in 1956.

He is the only hockey player in whose honour the government has issued a commemorative postage stamp.

The government of India instituted the Major Dhyan Chand Award for lifetime achievements in sports in 2002. It is given to individuals for their contribution to the promotion of sports.

The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, earlier known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, was renamed in 2021 to honour Major Dhyan Chand.

It is the highest honour given by the government of India in the field of sports.

The Khel Ratna is awarded for outstanding performances in sports spanning over four years.