National Sports Day 2021: History, significance and more

National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 every
year to mark the birth anniversary of the Indian hockey wizard Dhyan Chand. The
day also serves as a timely reminder for the need of sports and related
activities for physical and mental well-being in life.

It was first included in India’s list of celebratory
days in 2012. States like Punjab, Haryana, and Karnataka, among others,
organise a number of sporting events and seminars to spread awareness about the
importance of physical activities and sports in life.

Also Read | First look of ‘Major Dhyan Chand’ documentary revealed

Over the years, the government of India has used
the day to introduce a number of schemes, like the Khelo India movement, an
initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.

The day also serves as an occasion where the country’s
best athletes and their coaches are honoured with recognitions like the Major
Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and others.

Also Read | Dhyan Chand once turned down Adolf Hitler’s offer to join the German Army

A special ceremony is held at the Rashtrapati
Bhawan, where the Indian President confers these awards.

Who is Dhyan Chand?

Dhyan Chand is one of the greatest hockey
players of all time and has reserved a special place for himself in Indian
sporting lore. Born in Allahabad (Prayagraj) on August 29, 1905 as Dhyan Singh,
he rose to prominence in the pre-independence era.

He led the Indian side to a hattrick of gold
medals at the Olympic Games in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He scored over 400 goals in
185 games in his career which spanned from 1926 to 1948, memerising the world
with his stickwork in that period as he earned nicknames like ‘Hockey Wizard’
and ‘The Magician’.

What are the different awards?

Among the sporting awards conferred on this
day, the highest honour is the major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, which was renamed from
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award earlier. It is usually given to an Olympic
athlete in an Olympic year.

The Dronacharya Award is given to the best
coaches in the country, whole the Arjuna Award recognises the achievements of athletes
in recent years. There is also the Major Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement
in Sports and Games, recognising an athletes’ lifetime contribution.