The wizard of hockey, Major Dhyan Chand was an Indian field hockey player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in history and known for his amazing ball control and goal-scoring abilities. He was a major part of the Indian hockey team which dominated the game, winning three consecutive Olympic golds in years 1928, 1932, and 1936. The Indian hockey team also won seven out of eight Olympic championships from 1928 to 1964. National Sports Day 2022 Images & HD Wallpapers for Free Download Online: Share These Wishes, Greetings, Messages To Celebrate the Momentous Occasion of Honouring Sportspersons in India

The hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, born on August 29, 1905, was one of the most honorable sportsperson in India. In 1979 when he passed away at the age of 74, the Indian postal department paid a tribute to him and renamed the National Stadium of Delhi as the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium. To commemorate the memories of the hockey legend in 2012 the Indian government decided to celebrate his birth anniversary as National Sports Day. it has been celebrated every year since.

As India will celebrate National Sports Day on the 117th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand let’s take a looks at some lesser-known facts about him:

  • Dhyan Chand has played a total of 185 matches in his International career and scored 570 goals

  • Being part of the most dominating Indian hockey team he has won three Olympic gold medals

  • Scoring 1000 goals in his entire domestic and international career made him the highest goal scorer ever

  • Due to his amazing ball control, he was known as “The Wizard” or “The Magician”

  • In 1956, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan Award, India's third highest civilian honour

  • He was born under the rule of British India, in the United Province of Agra. now known as Uttar Pradesh

  • His birth anniversary is celebrated as the Indian National Sports day

  • India’s highest award for lifetime achievement in sports is named after Major Dhyan Chand and is given to sports persons for his contributions on the field and after retirement

  • In honour of Major Dhyan Chand, the name of the National Stadium of Delhi was changed to Major Dhyan Chand stadium

  • As of the 2022 Natoila Sports Day, Narendra Modi, the recent Prime Minister of India announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award will be renamed as Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2022 08:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).