National Sports Day is celebrated on August 29 every year to mark the birthday of former hockey player Dhyan Chand. Various sports events are held on this day commemorating his contributions to the field. Students of schools and colleges actively participate in the different sports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter greeting sports enthusiasts. He also paid tributes to Major Dhyan Chand on his 113th birth anniversary. In his tweet, he urged people to prioritise sports and fitness related activities which will contribute towards a healthier India. Dhyan Chand Birthday Special: 5 Facts on Legendary Hockey Player’s Birth Anniversary and National Sports Day
Meanwhile, people have taken to Twitter remembering the Major Dhyan Chand's contributions to Indian hockey. Social media users also wished National Sports Day and stated how sports or related activities should be a part of one's daily routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Celebrities, athletes, and politicians including Boxer Vijender Singh, Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu, Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Rathore, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik paid tributes to Dhyan Chand and wished National Sports Day.
Here are some of the Twitter wishes:
When you put on that jersey, the flag 🇮🇳 on the front is more important then the name on the back.
Remembering the hockey 🏑wizard #MajorDhyanChand on his 113th Birth Anniversary #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/gQ3dAxCN88
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 29, 2018
Today, we commemorate Major Dhyan Chand's Birth Anniversary as #NationalSportsDay. Let us give our tributes to one of India's greatest sports icons by inculcating sports as part of our lifestyle. pic.twitter.com/fOcMqHRejZ
— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 29, 2018
Participation in Sports will lead to regular physical activity and inculcate values of team spirit and perseverance . We need to aim at achieving excellence in all sports and games. #NationalSportsDay #Games pic.twitter.com/cZbMV0mmQD
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) August 29, 2018
Sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik made a sand art paying tributes to the hockey player at Puri beach in Odisha.
Tributes to the Hockey Legend , #MajorDhyanChand Ji on his birth anniversary. My humble appeal to Hon’ble @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji for giving #BharatRatnaForDhyanChand. pic.twitter.com/s0AXVDyXOz
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 29, 2018
Major Dhyan Chand who was born on August 29, 1905, was one of the greatest hockey players in India. In 2002, The Ministry Of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government Of India began Dhyan Chand Award which is given for lifetime achievement in the field of sports and games. Every year, on Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary the President presents Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya awards to deserving athletes. However, this year the date has been postponed due to the ongoing Asian Games in Indonesia. This year the award ceremony will be held on September 25.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2018 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).