India celebrates its National Sports Day on the 29th of August each year. The day is celebrated to honor the legendary hockey player in India, Major Dhyan Chand Singh.
August 29th happens to be the birth anniversary of the greatest hockey player that India has ever seen. He made the country proud with his extraordinary sporting skills. He won Gold Medals for India in the year 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics in the game of field hockey which India dominated then.
The day is celebrated by organizing friendly matches between different hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi which was constructed in the respect and honor of Dhyan Chand.
Known as “The Wizard” for his superb ball control, Dhyan Chand played his final international game in 1948 having scored more than 400 goals in his career.
Dhyan Chand was a magician with dribbling the ball and goal scoring. At a young age he became the Indian Hockey team captain due to his excellent playing techniques and was given the nickname ‘Chand’ meaning Moon.
On this day the President of India bestows prestigious awards such as the Arjuna, Dronacharya, Dhyan Chand awards to the sports persons who have contributed to the growth of sports all throughout their career and even after retirement.
A number of schools throughout the country celebrate this day as their Annual Sports Day and the young generation is also encouraged and made aware of the possibilities in sports along with the achievements made by the country.
Picture Courtesy: Sports Keeda
