Hyderabad: National Sports Day which is also known as the Rashtriya Khel Divas is observed on 29th August every year to commemorate the birthday of Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand Singh.
The year 2020 is the 115th birth anniversary of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand.The Government of India first introduced the idea of National Sports Day in 2012. Since then it has been the centre of attraction for passionate sports fans of the country.
Other than spreading awareness on the importance of sports, the special day also highlights the achievements and contributions of Chand to India's rich sports history and culture.
Dhyan Chand Singh joined the army at an early age and learned the game of hockey from his coach Pankaj Gupta. He quickly picked up the technique of ball dribbling which led him to became the captain of the Indian Hockey team. Due to his extraordinary skills, he was named as 'Chand'.
To give real tribute to such a legendary player; the Government of India has decided to celebrate his birthday as the National Sports Day since 2012. He remains the only hockey player who has won Padma Bhushan award. His lifetime awards and achievements in sports are considered as the highest point in the history of Indian sports.
Here is all you need to know about National Sports Day
- National Sports Day is dedicated to hockey legend Dhyan Chand.
- Dhyan Chand was born on 29 August 1905 in Prayagraj (then Allahabad).
- Sportspersons who make India proud confer with awards on this day.
- After primary schooling, Dhyan Chand joined the army as a soldier at 16.
- First Brahmin Regiment's Dhyan Chand had no particular interest in hockey.
- It was army's Subedar-Major Bale Tiwari who first spotted Dhyan Chand's hockey skills.
- Dhyan Chand represented India in three Olympic Games.
- Before World War II, Dhyan Chand won India 1st Olympic gold in 1928.
- He won two more gold medals for India in 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games.
- In the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Dhyan Chand refused to salute German dictator Adolf Hitler.
- During a match in Holland, his hockey stick was broken to see if it had a magnet infused.
- In 1956, Dhyan Chand was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan award.
- On this day athletes and their coaches are honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dhyanchand and Dronacharya Awards.
- Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy, Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskan are also included in this list.
