India's National Sports Day

honor the legendary hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand Singh. 

 National sports Day every year on the 29th August. The day is celebrated to honor the legendary hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand Singh.

 the legendary hockey player was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. 

 29th August happens to be the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand,

Dhyan Chand is officially known as ‘Major Dhyan Chand’; he enrolled in the Indian army at the age of 16. His mentor Subedar Major Bale Tiwari recognized his talent for hockey early, and guided him through the initial stages of his career in the sport.

Originally named Dhyan Singh, the legend received the nickname ‘Chand’ from his colleagues as he used to wait for the moon to come out and then practise all night in the moonlight. 

who made India proud by his extraordinary sporting skills. He was the greatest hockey player India has ever seen.

he learnt the game of hockey from his coach Pankaj Gupta and soon became an expert in ball dribbling and goal scoring. He quickly became the Indian Hockey Team captain due to his excellent playing techniques. 

 During his sports career Dhyan Chand had won three Olympic medals and till date remains the only hockey player who has received the Padma Bhushan award. He had won the Olympic Gold medal six times in a row for India in hockey. His lifetime awards and achievements in sports are considered as the highest point in the history of Indian sports.

Dhyan Chand contributed to the game even after his retirement; he was the  Chief Hockey Coach at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala for a while, and he also taught at many coaching camps in Rajasthan.

He captained India throughout his playing career and helped India win three Olympic medals – in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He scored more than 400 goals in his career which spanned over 22 years.

Dhyan Chand is arguably the greatest sportsperson that India has ever produced. It is not surprising, then, that the Government decided to celebrate his memory so strikingly; there can be no greater honour than having your birthday designated as the National Sports Day of a country!

This day is celebrated by organizing friendly matches between different Indian hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National stadium in New Delhi which was constructed in the respect and honor of Major Dhyan Chand. 

        SATISH DUBEY