National Sports Day is observed on 29 August every year to commemorate the birthday of Indian hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand.
Major Dhyan Chand
Dhyan Chand was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905 in a Rajput family. He enlisted in the 1st Brahmans of the British Indian Army as a sepoy (private). Popularly known as "The Wizard", Chand played internationally from 1926 to 1949, where he scored 570 goals in 185 matches. Dhyan Chand played a key role in India’s three consecutive gold hauls at the Olympic Games - in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
The Government of India awarded Chand India's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan in 1956. India's highest sporting honour, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in Sports and Games, is named after him. The National Stadium, Delhi was renamed Dhyan Chand National Stadium in 2002 in his honour.
Dhyan Chand passed away on December 3, 1979
Dhyan Chand has written an autobiography title "Goal"
National Sports Day
National Sports Day is celebrated every year in the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the President of India presents National Sports Awards to the outstanding players of the country. The day is celebrated to honor the sporting legend and create awareness about the importance of sporting activities in everyday life, with a focus on fitness and health.