National Sports Day was marked across the entirety of India on August 29, 2023. This event is not just a national celebration, but also an annual tradition designed to commemorate the birth of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. The very first National Sports Day was held on this date in 2012.
The primary purpose of this special occasion is to highlight the importance of physical fitness, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, it serves as an effective catalyst in cultivating a strong sports culture in India.
National Sports Day 2023: Highlights and Theme
The 2023 edition of National Sports Day came with a theme that says “Sports are an enabler to an inclusive and fit society”. To foster good governance within the sports sphere, a new National Sports Federations portal was launched during the event.
Major Dhyan Chand: The Hockey Legend
Major Dhyan Chand was a famous field hockey player who graced the world stage from 1926 to 1949. Known for his extraordinary prowess on the field, he was a three-time Olympic gold medalist, having secured gold in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Olympic editions.
Chand’s incredible skills earned him the title ‘magician of hockey.’ Together with his brother Roop Singh, Chand significantly contributed to India’s tally of 35 goals, earning them the prestigious nickname of ‘hockey twins’. In 1934, he was honoured as the captain of the Indian team.
Major Dhyan Chand retired from the army in 1956 with the rank of Major and was bestowed with the Padma Bhushan in recognition of his numerous accomplishments.
Awards Named After Major Dhyan Chand
Several notable awards have been named after Major Dhyan Chand, such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, which is regarded as the highest sporting honour in India. The Dhyan Chand Award is another distinguished accolade named after him, recognized as the loftiest award for lifetime achievement in sports.
UPSC Civil Services Examination: Previous Year’s Questions
Each year, there are questions about sports awards in the UPSC Civil Services Examination. For instance, in 2023, there was a particular question that focused on identifying correctly matched pairs of sports awards.
In the 2021 edition of the exam, a few questions dealt with the Laureus World Sports Award, and the inaugural winner of this award, Tiger Woods. One more question from the same year revolved around the official motto and newly included sports of the 32nd Summer Olympics.
