Introduction – National Sports Day is also called as Rashtriya Khel Diwas which is observed annually on August 29 in India to celebrate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, a hockey legend. This day highlights the importance of physical activities and sports in maintaining or reducing weight and is beneficial for a healthy life.

Dhyan Chand is an Indian hockey legend and one of the top hockey players who won three Olympic gold medals in the men’s hockey in the years 1928, 1932, and 1936, thus this great player is also known as ‘’The Wizard of Hockey’’. He was devoted to hockey and scored about 1000 goals in his international and domestic career. As per the official website of the Olympics, Dhyan Chand practiced hockey at night when he did his regimental duties in the daytime thus, he got the name Dhyan ‘’Chand’’. He represented the Indian hockey team in 185 matches between 1926 and 1949 where he scored 570 goals. Major Dhyan Chand, Indian hockey legend, also received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honor or award by the Indian Government in the year 1956 due to his great contribution to Indian hockey.  The birthday of Major Dhyan Chand on August 29 is celebrated every year as National Sports Day in India.

History – Earlier, the Indian Government announced that the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand is celebrated as National Sports Day every year on August 29 in the year 2012 in India to commemorate or recognize the contributions to Indian sports or hockey. This day also honors his contributions and achievements in hockey by winning three Olympic gold medals for India in the years 1928, 1932, and 1936 in the men’s hockey. Thus, we celebrate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand as National Sports Day in India.

Significance – National Sports Day is observed to honor the achievements and contributions of Major Dhyan Chand to Indian hockey or sports. The Indian Government awarded many sporting awards to Indian players, which belong to different sports on National Sport Day in our country. Many programs and events are organized by the Indian Government to commemorate the contribution and achievements of Indian hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand. The main purpose of this day is to highlight the importance of different sports in our lives. Many awards including the Dronacharya Award, Arjuna Award, and many more to honor the great contribution and achievement of Indian players in different sports.

Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi declared that, India’s highest sporting honor or award. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award is being changed or renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award on August 6, 2021, in memory of Indian hockey legend, Dhyan Chand.