- National Sports Day is celebrated every year on 29 August in India to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, who was known as ‘The Wizard’ or ‘The Magician’ of Hockey.
Major Dhyanchand
- The great hockey player was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
- He is widely regarded as the greatest field hockey player of all time. He started playing hockey only after joining the army at the age of 16.
- He won gold medals in the Olympics for India in 1928, 1934 and 1936. He scored over 400 goals in his career from 1926 to 1948.
- It is believed that after India defeated Germany 8-1 in the 1936 Olympic final, Adolf Hitler offered him a senior position in the German Army, which was declined by Major Dhyan Chand.
- His autobiography “Goal!” was published in 1952 by Sport & Pastime (Madras). The Government of India awarded him the third highest civilian honor of the Padma Bhushan in 1956.
- Furthermore, the most famous memorial named after him is the Major Dhyan Chand Award, the highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games in India.
- It is awarded annually since 2002 to sports personalities who contribute not only through their performances but also contribute to sports after their retirement.