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National Sports Day 2025
- 01 Sep 2025
- 2 min read
National Sports Day is observed annually on 29th August to commemorate the birth anniversary of one of the greatest field hockey players of India, Major Dhyan Chand.
National Sports Day
- About: This day was declared a national observance in 2012. In 2019, the Fit India Movement was launched on this day, marking a milestone in India’s fitness and sports journey.
- Theme 2025: Under the Fit India Mission, it will be celebrated with the theme “Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main”, encouraging citizens to devote 60 minutes daily to physical activity.
- Key National Sports Awards: Annual award presented on 29th August by President of India includes:
|
Award |
Description |
|
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award |
Highest sporting honour in India. Instituted in 1991–92, earlier known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award & renamed in 2021 to honour hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. |
|
Arjuna Award |
Second highest sporting honour. |
|
Dronacharya Award |
Highest honour for coaches |
|
Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar |
For organisations promoting sports in the last three years. |
Major Dhyan Chand (1905–1979)
- Achievements: Known as the Hockey Wizard.
- Legacy: Even after his retirement, India’s hockey supremacy continued with Olympic golds in 1948, 1952, 1956, and 1964, and a silver in 1960.
- Retiring as a Major in the Army in 1956, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
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Read More: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award |
