Sports Day Of India

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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National Sports Day

 

National Sports Day 2023, Date, History, Significance:

 National Sports Day 2023 is Celebrated, bringing with it a renewed spirit of unity and excellence in sports. The occasion is celebrated to recognize and pay tribute to the nation’s athletes who have been honored with prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to various sports.

 

National Sports Day History:

National Sports Day in India commemorates the birth anniversary of the legendary Indian hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand also called ‘Wizard of Hockey’. He, born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, is considered one of the greatest hockey players in the history of the sport. He was known for his exceptional skills, goal-scoring ability, dribbling skills, powerful shots, incredible speed, and extraordinary ball control.

His contributions to Indian hockey are invaluable, and he played a significant role in earning India three Olympic gold medals at the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Olympics. He played 185 matches and scored more than 400 goals. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 1956.

The first National Sports Day was celebrated in 2012, on the 107th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand.

National Sports Day is a significant day in the Indian sporting calendar. It is a day to celebrate the achievements of Indian athletes and to encourage the people of India to participate in sports.

National Sports Day Significance:

National Sports Day holds immense significance across the country as it not only pays homage to the remarkable sportsmanship of Major Dhyan Chand but also promotes the importance of sports and physical activities in the lives of individuals. The day aims to raise awareness about the benefits of sports for overall health, well-being, and character development. It encourages people of all ages to engage in sports and fitness activities, leading to a healthier and more active lifestyle.

National Sports Day Celebrations:

On National Sports Day, various events and activities are organised across the country to promote sports and physical fitness. Schools, colleges, sports organisations, and communities often arrange sports competitions, tournaments, workshops, and seminars to encourage participation and awareness. Sporting achievements and contributions are recognised through awards, and athletes from different sports are honored for their dedication and excellence. The President of India presents the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (formerly called the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna), the Arjuna Award, and the Dronacharya Award to outstanding sportspersons and coaches.

 

National Sports Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of Indian athletes and to inspire the youth to take up sports as a career. It is also a day to promote sports and physical fitness among the people of India. As we gear up to commemorate this occasion, let’s delve into the history, theme, significance, and more about Natioanl Sports Day, explore its importance, and discover some exciting activities to make the most of this day.

 

National Sports Day is a public holiday celebrated in various countries to honour the national sports teams and sports traditions of those countries. On this day people from different age groups take a part in sports like kabaddi, marathon, basketball, hockey etc.

National sports day by country

India

The National Sports Day in India is celebrated on 29 August, on the birth anniversary of hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. This day marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand Singh, the hockey player who won gold medals in Olympics for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. He scored 400 goals in his total career, from 1926 – 1949 (according to his autobiography, Goals).

After putting his stamp on international hockey arena, and having served his country to reach its pinnacles of glory multiple times. He was a legendary figure in the Indian and world hockey. The most noted memorials for him were the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games in India, and the National Sports Day celebrations on his birthday. Major Dhyan chand learnt the game of hockey from his coach Pankaj Gupta. There is no one who has reached his level in hockey. The birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand is on 29 August 1905.

Iran

In Iran, October 17 is known as Physical Education & Sport day, and from October 17 to 23 the week is named Physical Education & Sport Week. The main goal is presentation of importance of exercise in personal and social life of people and also has been emphasized in article III of the constitution.

Japan

Japan’s Health and Sports Day (体育の日, Tai-iku no Hi) is a national holiday commemorated in October. It was first held on 10 October 1966, the second anniversary of the opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo. Since 2000 it has been held on the second Monday of October.

Malaysia

National Sports Day (Malay: Hari Sukan Negara) is a national holiday in Malaysia, held annually on the second Saturday in October, with the main objective of promoting a healthy lifestyle among its population. The first National Sports Day was held in 2015.

Qatar

National Sports Day is a national holiday in Qatar, held annually on the second Tuesday in February, with the main objective of promoting a healthy lifestyle among its population. The first National Sports Day was held in 2012.

Bahrain

Bahraini Sports Day was done for the first time on 7 February 2017, and since then this event is done every year in the second week of February between the dates 10-11-12-13, its about spreading different sports activities all over Bahrain by the order of the minister of ministries. Government sectors, as well as private sectors, companies, banks and, schools, contribute to the sports day by giving half duty to participate in the walkathon and activities. The main target of this day is supporting youth energies, and also to cheer up different ages to apply sports in their daily life, and moreover to have a healthy society.

South Korea

October is Sports Day  in South Korea. It is not a public holiday but a commemoration day by Regulations on Commemoration Days.

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur