National Sports Day 2020
National Sports Day is observed on 29 August 2020. National Sports Day 2020 is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. National Sports Day also stresses the need to stay fit and healthy. The main objective of National Sports Day is to spread awareness of the importance of sports and daily activities in every individual's life.
What is the History of National Sports Day?
National Sports Day is also known as the Rashtriya Khel Divas. The day was first inducted into the list of celebratory days in the year 2012. National Sports Day is the centre of attraction for ardent sports lovers of the country. The main reason behind celebrating National Sports Day lies in championing the spirit of sportsmanship and propagating the message of various sports.
Who is Dhyan Chand?
Dhyan Chand Singh is popularly known as the Wizard of Indian Hockey. Dhyan was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He was regarded as a prodigy in the field of hockey. He has secured over 400 international goals and 1,000 goals in his entire career in 22 years during the period from 1926 to 1948. Dhyan Chand is regarded as India's greatest hockey player ever. Under the leadership of Dhyan Chand, the Indian Hockey team has achieved several victories. He has led India into 3 Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
By winning the Olympic gold medal on three occasions and marked his position in the pages of history. During the 1936 Berlin Olympics in the outset of World War II, Adolf Hitler was visibly impressed by seeing this “Hockey ke Jaadugar”, meaning Wizard, at play. Dhyan Chand is remembered for his tacit refusal in saluting the great dictator during the hockey finals against Germany in 1936. Hitler was overwhelmed by Singh's performance and he desired to buy Singh’s hockey stick out of admiration for the three-time Olympic gold medalist.
How is National Sports Day celebrated?
The birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand is celebrated extensively at the national level. The Government of India pays tribute to such a legendary player by celebrating his birthday since 2012. On the National Sports Day:
- The President of India gives out all sports-related awards like the Arjuna, Dronacharya, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to honour sportspersons and coaches who have made the nation proud of their service in their respective sports.
- The day is celebrated with great fanfare with walkathons and football tournaments held across the country.
- In the first year of celebration, FICCI held sporting events all across India with the help of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and other sporting bodies.
- On this special day, players from different age groups take part in various sport events like kabaddi, marathon, basketball, hockey, etc.
- Every year, two athletes are nominated by the Selection Committee for Khel Ratna sports awards in the highest sporting honor in the country.
- On this day, friends and families gather together and remember the greatest field hockey player of all time and root their favorite athletes.
Fit India Movement
In 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched 'Fit India Campain' on the occasion of National Sports Day. The nationwide campaign aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives. Under this, a committee comprised of several government officials, members of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports federations, private bodies, and fitness promoters was formed to advise the government on the Fit India Movement.
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