National Sports Day 2023: National Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29 to honor the achievements of Indian athletes and to promote the importance of physical activity.
The day is also a tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player who won three gold medals for India at the Olympics.
On National Sports Day, there are many sports events held across the country. These events are open to everyone, regardless of age or skill level. They are a great way to get involved in physical activity and to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship.
National Sports Day is also a time to reflect on the importance of physical activity for our health and well-being. Regular physical activity can help us to stay healthy, reduce stress, and improve our mood. It can also help us to sleep better and have more energy.
This day not only pays homage to the past but also inspires the generations to come, reminding us all that the pursuit of athletic brilliance is a journey that knows no bounds.
Join us as we delve into the significance of National Sports Day in India and explore the stories of triumph that have left an indelible mark on the nation’s sporting tapestry.
History of National Sports Day
In 2012, the Government of India decided to celebrate Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary as National Sports Day . Major Dhyan Chand was one of the greatest hockey players of India. He won gold medals for India in the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics. Major Dhyan chand is also known as the “Wizard of Hockey” .
Importance of National Sports Day 2023
National Sports Day is an important day as it reminds us about the importance of sports. Sports are very beneficial for our physical and mental health. They keep us healthy, reduce mental stress, and boost our confidence.
Sports also teach us the values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline. These values are essential to be successful in life.
The purpose of National Sports Day is to inspire the youth of the country towards sports. Sports can help youth stay healthy and develop the skills they need to be successful in life.
The Government of India organizes various programs on the occasion of National Sports Day. These events include distribution of sports prizes, sports exhibitions, and sports competitions.
To increase the importance of National Sports Day, we should encourage our children for sports. We can encourage them to join sports clubs and school teams. We can also encourage them to read books and magazines about sports.
Sports are an important part of our life. They help us to be healthy and happy. National Sports Day reminds us about the importance of sports and encourages us to include them in our lives.
Benefits of sports
Sports provide many benefits to our physical and mental health. They keep us healthy, reduce mental stress, and boost our confidence.
Sports provide the following benefits to our physical health:
- They help us maintain a healthy weight.
- They reduce our risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases.
- They strengthen our bones and muscles.
- They improve our overall physical fitness.
Sports provide the following benefits for our mental health:
- They reduce mental stress.
- They help us sleep better.
- They make our mood better.
- They give us a boost of confidence.
- They help us develop social relationships.
Value of games
Sports also teach us the values of teamwork, leadership, and discipline. These values are essential to be successful in life.
Teamwork teaches us that it is important to work with others and achieve a goal together.
Leadership teaches us how to inspire and guide others.
Discipline teaches us that hard work and dedication is important to achieve goals.
Suggestions to enhance the importance of National Sports Day
To increase the importance of National Sports Day, we can adopt the following suggestions:
- Encourage your children to play.
- Encourage them to join sports clubs and school teams.
- Encourage them to read books and magazines about sports.
- Organize sporting events in your community.
Theme of National Sports Day 2023
This year the theme of National Sports Day 2023 is – “Sports as an enabler for an inclusive and fit society.”
This theme highlights the power of sports to bring people together, regardless of their background or abilities. Sports can help to create a more inclusive and fit society by promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, and physical activity.
Who was Major Dhyanchand?
Major Dhyan Chand was one of the greatest hockey players of India. He was born on August 29, 1905 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj). He scored over 400 goals in his career and led India to three gold medals in the Olympics. Major Dhyan Chand’s sporting talent and achievements brought him worldwide fame.
Major Dhyanchand’s childhood was spent in Allahabad. His father was a Subedar in the British Indian Army. Dhyan chand started playing hockey since childhood. His sporting talent came to the fore soon and he was inducted into the Indian Army’s hockey team.
Major Dhyan chand participated in the Olympics for the first time in 1928. He won India its first gold medal in the Olympics. In 1932, he won India its second gold medal in the Olympics. In 1936, he won India its third and final gold medal at the Olympics.
Major Dhyan chand was an amazing sportsman. He could control the ball with such ease that he was called the “Wizard of Hockey” . He was an inspiration to his team and helped make India a major force in hockey. He represented 185 hockey matches for India.
Given Major Dhyan Chand’s sporting talent and achievements, he is regarded as India’s greatest sporting hero. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
Following are some of the major achievements of Major Dhyanchand:
- He won gold medals for India in the Olympics of 1928, 1932 and 1936.
- In 1932, was the highest scorer in the Olympics.
- In 1933, the book “The Magician of Hockey” was published.
- In 1956, was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
- In the year 2002, the Government of India renamed the National Stadium in New Delhi as Dhyan Chand National Stadium .
Many awards and competitions are organized in the name of Major Dhyanchand. In his honour, the Government of India has declared 29 August as National Sports Day.
Awards given on the occasion of National Sports Day
The following awards are distributed by the President of the India on the occasion of National Sports Day.
Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award
The Khel Ratna Award, considered India’s highest sporting honour, was instituted in 1991-92. Earlier the name of this award was “ Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award ”. In 2021, its name was changed to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
The award is given for outstanding performance in sports over a period of four years and the winners are given a medal, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh. This award is given every year to one person.
Indian chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand was the first Khel Ratna winner. Other winners include M.C. Many legendary sports personalities like Mary Kom, PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Vijender Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli are included.
Arjuna Award
The Arjuna Award was instituted on August 29, 1961. The award is named after the great archer Arjuna of ancient India. The Arjuna Award is the second highest sporting honor in India. It was India’s highest sporting honor before the Khel Ratna came into existence.
This award is given for outstanding performance in the field of sports. This award is given to 15 players every year.
The winners of the Arjuna Award, given for consistently good performance over a period of four years, are given a statuette of Arjuna, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
Hockey player Anna Lumsden was the first woman to win the Arjuna Award.
Dronacharya Award
This is the highest sports honor given to coaches in the sports sector of India. This award is given for excellence in training in the field of sports. This award is given to 10 coaches every year. The Dronacharya Award is given for both recent achievements and lifetime contribution.
The Dronacharya Award was instituted on August 29, 1985. The award is named after Dronacharya, the great teacher of the Mahabharata.
The first woman athletics coach to win the Dronacharya Award was Renu Kohli in 2002.
Coaches who receive the Dronacharya Award are given a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a citation, and a bronze bust of Dronacharya.
Major Dhyanchand Award
The Major Dhyan Chand Award was instituted in 2002 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, to honor individuals who have made a lifetime contribution to sports. The award is named after Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary Indian field hockey player who is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
This award is given to one person every year. The winners are presented with a Dhyan Chand statuette, a certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
Olympian boxer Shahuraj Birajdar, men’s hockey player Ashok Dewan and Indian women’s basketball player Aparna Ghosh were the first recipients of the Major Dhyan Chand Award.
FAQs related National Sports Day
When is National Sports Day celebrated?
Answer: National Sports Day is celebrated on 29 August.
In whose name is the National Sports Day celebrated?
Answer: National Sports Day is celebrated in the name of Major Dhyanchand.
Major Dhyanchand was the great hockey player of India.
He won gold medals for India in the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Olympics.
He is called the “Wizard of Hockey”.
When was Major Dhyanchand born?
Major Dhyanchand was born on August 29, 1905 in Allahabad.
When was Major Dhyan Chand awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India?
In 1956, Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.
In which year National Sports Day started?
In 2012, the Government of India started celebrating Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary as National Sports Day.
MCQs related to National Sports Day
- When is National Sports Day celebrated in India?
(a) 26th January
(b) 15th August
(c) 29th August
(d) 16th December
Ans : (c) 29th August - In whose name is the National Sports Day celebrated?
(a) Major Dhyan Chand
(b) Sachin Tendulkar
(c) Mahendra Singh Dhoni
(d) None of these
Ans : (a) Major Dhyan Chand - How many gold medals did Major Dhyanchand win in Olympics?
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4
Answer: (c) - When and where was Major Dhyanchand born?
(a) 29th August, 1905, Allahabad
(b) 29th August, 1915, Delhi
(c) 29th August, 1925, Mumbai
(d) 29th August, 1935, Chennai
Answer: (a) 29th August, 1905, Allahabad - Which award was given to Major Dhyanchand by the Government of India?
(a) Padma Shri
(b) Padma Bhushan
(c) Padma Vibhushan
(d) Bharat Ratna
Ans: (b) - What is the purpose of celebrating National Sports Day?
(a) To motivate the youth of the country towards sports
(b) To spread awareness about the importance of sports
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Ans : (c) Both (a) and (b) - Which Olympic Games did Major Dhyan Chand make his debut in?
a) 1924 Paris Olympics
b) 1928 Amsterdam Olympics
c) 1932 Los Angeles Olympics
d) 1936 Berlin Olympics
Ans: b) 1928 Amsterdam Olympics - What was Major Dhyan Chand’s nickname due to his exceptional skills?
a) Wizard
b) Magician
c) Maestro
d) Sorcerer
Ans: a) Wizard - Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in which year?
a) 1952
b) 1961
c) 1979
d) 1984
Ans: b) 1961 - Major Dhyan Chand’s exceptional goal-scoring ability helped India win gold at the Olympics for how many consecutive years?
a) 2
b) 4
c) 6
d) 8
Ans: b) 4
