Friday, December 05, 2025 | 12:43 PM ISTहिंदी में पढें

Dhyan Chand Bharat Ratna

Committed to making India a global sporting hub: PM Modi on Sports Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday joined the country in paying rich tributes to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birthday, taking the occasion to reiterate the government's commitment to making India a "global hub for sporting excellence". August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day in memory of Major Dhyan Chand, who is widely regarded as the greatest field hockey player in history. He earned India three Olympic gold medals -- 1928, 1932 and 1936 -- with his extraordinary ball control skills and goal-scoring ability. The national hockey stadium in the heart of the capital is named after the legend. "Greetings on National Sports Day! On this special occasion, we pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand Ji, whose excellence continues to inspire generations," wrote the PM on 'X'. Reflecting on India's evolving sporting landscape, the PM reaffirmed his government's dedication to fostering a culture of sports and fitness, strengthening institutional support for athletes, and .

Updated On : 29 Aug 2025 | 11:04 AM IST

National Sports Day 2025: Date, theme, history, significance and more

On Aug 29, 2025, Major Dhyan Chand's birthday, India commemorates National Sports Day to honour sports icons and encourage physical fitness. "Sport to Promote Peaceful Societies" is the 2025 theme

Updated On : 28 Aug 2025 | 5:19 PM IST

Mandaviya, Zafar Iqbal pay tribute to Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya was joined by hockey legend Zafar Iqbal in paying tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on the National Sports Day here, with the latter also emphasising on the need to focus on disciplines like table tennis and swimming for bigger medal hauls in the Olympic Games. The birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, who won gold medals in three successive Olympic during the pre-independence era, is celebrated as the National Sports Day. Mandaviya, after paying floral tributes to the statue of Dhyan Chand at the National Stadium here, said staying fit was the key to building a healthy society. "On the occasion of the National Sports Day, we paid a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. What Prime Minister Narendra Modi says is right... that is those who play, flourish," Mandaviya told PTI Videos after paying tribute to the legend on his 119th birth anniversary. "The citizens of the country need to stay fit and healthy, and healt

Updated On : 29 Aug 2024 | 11:45 AM IST

National Sports Day 2024: Check date, history, significance, theme, more

National Sports Day 2024 is celebrated every year on August 29 to mark the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand, and to promote sports and fitness in the countryIndia celebrates National Sports Day every year

Updated On : 29 Aug 2024 | 9:04 AM IST

PM lays foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday laid the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut district of Uttar Pradesh. The University will be established at Salawa and Kaili villages on the outskirts of the Sardhana town of the district at an estimated cost of about Rs 700 crore. The sports university will be equipped with modern and state of the art sports infrastructure including synthetic hockey ground besides those of football, basketball, volleyball, handball and kabaddi. It will also have a lawn tennis court, gymnasium hall, synthetic running stadium, swimming pool, a multipurpose hall and a cycling velodrome. The university will also house facilities for shooting, squash, gymnastics, weightlifting, archery, canoeing and kayaking, among other facilities. The varsity will have the capacity of training 1,080 sportspersons including 540 female and 540 male ones. The Prime Minister earlier saw exhibits and also tried his hands on a few fitness gadgets.