National Sports Day 2022: History, Significance, and PM’s Greetings
New Delhi: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings on the occasion of National Sports Day 2022 on August 29, 2022. The PM took to Twitter and greeted the sportspersons and legendary hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary.
Modi shared a two-and-half minute video about his speech on National Sports Day with a caption that read, “Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary.”
“The recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India,” he added.
In the video, Modi says what translates to, “Wishing everyone a National Sports Day. We received a great sportsperson in the form of Major Dhyan Chand on this day. He had mesmerized the world with his speed, stamina, and his hockey stick. Friends, today is for honouring our young players who are relentlessly soaring to new heights on a global platform. Whether it is badminton, tennis, athletics, boxing, wrestling or other sports, our players are hinging new feathers to our hopes and aspirations.”
“The sheen of gold and silver is making the nation experience miracles, thereby making the nation’s confidence shine. This is just the beginning; India is neither going to stop nor be exhausted. Sports are directly related to victory. Fitness is not just a word, but a necessary pact for a healthy and prosperous lifestyle,” he said.
Talking about fitness in the video, the PM said, “Fitness has always been emphasized in our culture. If the Body is Fit, then the Mind is Hit. I can say from personal experiences that there is zero investment but unlimited returns. A healthy human, a healthy family, and a healthy society are paths to transform new India into a great India.”
India observes National Sports Day on August 29 every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend, Major Dhyan Chand. The day is also dedicated to the sports heroes and champions by honouring their dedication and contributions towards their respective sports.
The day is observed to raise awareness regarding the different sports virtues including discipline, perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The day is celebrated to encourage participation of citizens in sports segment and make it a significant part of their regimen as a healthier means of living.
India observed its first National Sports Day in 2012. The Central government organises various sports knowledge and information-related programmes, events, seminars, and other activities. Annually held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the Indian President honours sportspersons with National Sports awards today.
Under the National Sports Award, players and former players are honoured with Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award.
Major Dhyan Chand, also known as Wizard of Hockey, was born on August 29, 1905, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. He had joined the Indian army and was one of the finest hockey players to represent the country.
He had scored approximately thousand goals in his entire career, including more than 400 international goals, between years 1926 and 1948. He received India’s third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 1956.
The Indian Postal Department paid tribute to the Major on his demise in 1979 by producing stamps in his honour. The National Stadium of New Delhi has been renamed to Major Dhyan Chand Stadium as a tribute to him.
(Avya Mathur)
