Tag: National Sports Day

National Sports Federations portal on the National Sports Day

 On the occasion of National Sports Day 2023, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Singh Thakur launched the third edition of the Fit India Quiz, among other initiatives, at an event at the JLN Stadium today.

The event was attended by almost 500 school children from various schools in New Delhi as well as several elite athletes and officials from the MYAS, SAI and the National Sports Federations.

The Minister also launched an Information booklet on Sports Infrastructure Projects sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme as well as launched a National Sports Federations portal, while also felicitating the 4x400m men’s relay team, fresh after creating an Asian record at the World Athletics Championships held at Budapest.

Addressing the event, Shri Thakur mentioned, “The Wizard of hockey Major Dhyan Chand gave us three consecutive Olympic gold medals in hockey in 1928, 1932, and 1936. This is a fitting day for tribute to this great maestro and I’m happy to observe that over the years, coaches and athletes have also played a big role to take this sporting revolution forward. Coaches and athletes play a big role.

“There are 3526 events happening today across India and that’s a testament of the road to which we have come today. This is an unbelievable phase for Indian sports. In 60 years, there were only 18 medals at the World University Games. This year itself, we won 26 medals in the tournament. Not only that, across all sports, be it Praggnanandha in Chess to Antim Panghal in wrestling and Aditi Gopichand Swami in archery, we are getting phenomenal results. In the World Athletics Championships Budapest too, our 4x400m relay team gave a great display, along with Parul Chaudhary as well as our evergreen Neeraj Chopra, who has not got gold in every possible high scale international competition in the sport,” the Minister added.

Following two successful editions of the Fit India Quiz, the 3rd edition was also announced. It is India’s biggest sports and fitness quiz competition for school students featuring total prize money of Rs 3.25 crores. Commenting on the Fit India Quiz, Shri Thakur said, “I was amazed to see that students from the Tenga valley of Arunachal participated in the Fit India Quiz, along with remote locations in Andaman, Sikkim and so on. They were the top teams in the quiz.”

“From the field of sports to right up there on the moon with Chandrayaan, we have made our mark. This is new India. Our athletes have done it all to make us reach on top. I congratulate not just the NSFs and IOA but also the several parents and coaches who have disciplined their children and made them enter the field of sports,” Shri Anurag Singh Thakur added.

The National Sports Federations portal launched on Tuesday is in line with the Government of India’s vision for Digital India, for ensuring ease of business and good governance. It is a unified online portal for the NSFs, which shall be a single window system for processing of annual renewal of recognition of NSFs, elections of National Sports Federations etc.

This will do away with the existing system of physical mode of submission of documents by NSFs and examination of the same by the Union Sports Ministry. The online portal will also be ensuring better coordination among the Department of Sports and the National Sports Federations.

Similarly, an online application submission and processing portal was launched which will be utilized for handling all the application for creation and upgradation of sports infrastructures and demand for sports equipment under the Khelo India Scheme. This portal will be available for grantees, States, UTs for submission of their proposals of financial support through this portal from first September 2023.

The Information booklet on Sports Infrastructure Projects sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme, meanwhile, showcases how the Khelo India Scheme has transformed the nation for sporting excellence since 2016. The booklet throws light on the entire sports infrastructure that has been developed and is in pipeline in various States and UTs of the country. The Khelo India Scheme, since its inception, has remained pivotal in sports development in the country with focus at the grassroots level.

To also commemorate the grand occasion and pay a fitting tribute to Hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on the National Sports Day, sports and fitness activities were held across several Government of India offices, Union Ministry offices, Sports Authority of India centres, Khelo India centres, National sports federations as well as schools and colleges. Age-appropriate Competitive and fun games were conducted for the age groups of 18-40 years, 40-60 years and 60+ years.

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National Sports Day

 National Sports Day

National Sports Day or Rashtriya Khel Divas is celebrated on 29 th August in memory of the birth anniversary of Dhyan Chand who is born on this date in 1905. In this day people of different ages participate in sports like marathon, kabaddi, cricket and many more. In this day in many places arrange some sports activities or tournaments to spread awareness of physical activities in our life. The government has also introduced many schemes including the Khelo India movement in 2018. Every year at Rashtrapati Bhawan awards is given like the Dhyan Chand award, the Dronacharya Award, the Arjuna award and the Rajiv Gandi Khel Ratna award to the real heroes of our nation who brings pride to our country. In Haryana, Karnataka and Punjab many sports events and seminars are also organised on sports day.

National sports day

 National Sports Day ( 29 August) 

 It is great day for sportspersons of India . Every child who is interested in sports surely proud on this day . Dhyan Chand, an Indian Hockey player who always makes India proud.

National Sports Day is celebrated every year in India on August 29. This day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of an Indian hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand. Various programs and seminars are held across the country to celebrate this day and pay a tribute to Major Dhyan Chand.



Major Dhyan Chand was a legendary Indian hockey player who had a massive role in getting India their first hat-trick of Olympic gold medals in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics respectively.

Major Dhyan Chand has been an inspiration for many young sports athletics. He started playing hockey with the regimental team of the British Indian Army. It is claimed by various sources that he used to practice playing hockey even in the night under the moonlight after completing his regimental duties during the day. Hence, he got the name Dhyan ‘Chand’.


National Sports Day was first celebrated in the year 2012 on August 29. Since then it is celebrated to honour the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand and raise awareness on the importance of sports in our lives. This day is special to increase awareness around physical activities and their benefits.

Various awards like Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award and the Dronacharya Award are bestowed to sporting legends to honour their contribution to sports.

Sheer Force of Will

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

The drive of willpower can let us achieve many heights which we just think is impossible from afar and to prove that everything is just the sheer force of our will we can’t take more suitable study than National Sports Day to celebrate the power of one’s will regardless of any hurdle and stepping stones.

Many legends have been born in India and have overcome many of the basic issues that every one of us has to go through if we are not born with silver spoons.

The power that drives their will to fight the same fight every day despite the situation and condition that is never constant tells us that it indeed is one of the fields, where there is will there, is the way.

So, to know more about the importance of will and significance of the Sports day altogether let’s get with our history journey.

The Hetrick of Gold Medals

The importance and significance of the National Sports Day can be measured when it is celebrated exactly on the birth anniversary of the hockey legend Late Major Dhyan Chand on the 29th of August every year.

Major Dhyan Chand was one of the finest examples of the saying that if you want to do something then it’s never about the shortage of time to do your duty as well as achieve your dreams as well.

Major Dhyan Chand used to practice Hockey at night after doing and serving his whole day duty and that is how he got his name as Chand.

Not just Major Dhyan Chand but this day is also celebrated to recognize all the efforts and sacrifice of every sportsman out there when they win over the forces that keep us locked in the dilemma that we can’t do things.

Sir Dhyan Chand’s contribution to winning a steak of gold medals, was one of the main reasons we tribute this day to him, even being under the rule of Britishers he achieved some moments of pride for us for his own family.

Many awards are being given this day like the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dhyan Chand Award, and the Dronacharya Award are conferred to sporting heroes to honor their contribution to sports.

As a tribute to him, the National Stadium of Delhi has been renamed Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, Delhi.

Some Famous Quotations

  • Mary Kom- “People used to say that boxing is for men and not for women and I thought I will show them someday. I promised myself and I proved myself.”
  • Harmeet Desai-  “Sports teaches you to overcome failure, make you humble, keeps you fit and so many more things in life. It is very important for every human being to make sports an integral part of his/her life.”
  • Sania Mirza- “I don’t play to prove a point to anyone. I play for my country and myself. If I feel I have the ability to achieve something, I’ll keep trying to succeed.”