New Delhi | Jagran Sports Day: National Sports Day, which is also known as Rashtriya Khel Divas, is celebrated on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh.
The idea was first introduced in 2012 by the government of India. Since then it has been the centre of attraction for passionate sports fans of the country.
On this day, sportspersons across India promote the importance of sports. Apart from that, major awards including Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards and Dronacharya Awards and Dhyan Chand Award are presented to deserving athletes.
Here’s all you need to know about National Sports Day 2019:
1. The National Sports Day in India is celebrated on 29 August, on the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. The idea about National Sports Day was introduced by the Government of India in 2012.
2. This day marks the birthday of Major Dhyan Chand Singh, the hockey player who won gold medals in the Olympics for India in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936. He scored over 400 goals in his career, from 1926 to 1948.
3. This will be the 115th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand.
4. Today, PM Modi will launch a nation-wide ‘Fit India Movement’ at 10:00 am at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi. The nation-wide campaign aims to encourage people to inculcate physical activity and sports in their everyday lives.
5. The Fit India movement launch will be broadcasted live by Doordarshan.
6. Meanwhile, the University Grants Commission has asked all the higher education institutions to live stream the Fit India movement launch.
7. The CBSE has also asked its affiliated schools to make arrangements for the live streaming of the Fit India Movement launch function.