Honouring The Spirit Of Sport: National Sports Day

On August 29, 2025, India celebrates its National Sports Day — a tribute to the legendary hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand and a moment to reflect on the nation's evolving sports culture. As we mark his 120th birth anniversary this year, the spirit of National Sports Day goes beyond mere commemoration. It acts as a clarion call for health, unity, excellence, and a renewed vision for India's sporting future.

A Legacy Etched in Gold: The Legend of Major Dhyan Chand

Born in 1905, Major Dhyan Chand is a name synonymous with brilliance on the hockey field. Nicknamed "The Wizard" for his unmatched control over the ball, Dhyan Chand led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles), and 1936 (Berlin). His contributions elevated hockey to a national passion during an era when India was still under British rule.

Beyond statistics and accolades, his story is one of grit, discipline, and unwavering patriotism — qualities that continue to inspire generations of athletes in India. His birth anniversary, first declared as National Sports Day in 2012, now serves as a mirror for the nation’s aspirations in global sports.

National Sports Day 2025: Themes, Tributes, and Initiatives

This year, the theme for National Sports Day 2025 is "Fit India, Empowered Bharat" — aligning with the broader national vision of fitness, inclusivity, and international excellence.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), has unveiled several campaigns in the lead-up to the day. These include:

- Khelo India Fitness Drive: A nationwide program focused on grassroots engagement through school and college-level competitions.

- Digital Athlete Showcases: Highlighting the achievements of emerging athletes across rural and urban India.

- Parakram Path: A new initiative promoting para-sports through inclusive infrastructure and funding.

- Revamp of National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): With an increased corpus aimed at nurturing Olympic potential in underfunded disciplines.

- The iconic Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award — India’s highest sporting honour — will also be presented today to the country’s top-performing athletes, alongside the Arjuna, Dronacharya, and Dhyan Chand Awards.

The Evolution of Indian Sports: From Colonial Struggles to Global Podiums

In the post-independence period, India’s sporting narrative was primarily defined by a few traditional disciplines like hockey, wrestling, and cricket. However, the 21st century has seen a dynamic shift.

From Abhinav Bindra’s gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to Neeraj Chopra’s javelin heroics in Tokyo 2020 and again in Paris 2024, India is now slowly, yet steadily, scripting its name on the global sports map.

This transformation hasn’t happened overnight. The advent of sports science, structured coaching, athlete support programs like TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), and private academies have all played significant roles. India is no longer just a cricketing nation. We are a country of weightlifters, boxers, shuttlers, gymnasts, and sprinters.

2024–2025: India’s Breakthrough Sporting Year

The past year has been historic for Indian sports. Highlights include:

- Neeraj Chopra defended his Olympic gold in Paris, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat.

- The Indian women’s hockey team reached the semi-finals for the first time in Olympic history.

- A record nine medals in athletics at the Asian Indoor Championships.

- India’s U-17 Women’s Football Team qualified for the FIFA World Cup.

- The rise of esports and chess, with India producing four new grandmasters under the age of 18.

Furthermore, several state governments have announced regional sports policies focusing on school-level competition, rural talent scouting, and financial support for elite athletes.

The Role of Technology and Decentralisation

The infusion of technology into Indian sports has been a game-changer. Data analytics, wearable performance trackers, biomechanics labs, and AI-based injury prevention have revolutionized training methods.

Moreover, decentralization has brought talent from the peripheries to the national spotlight. Athletes from Odisha, Manipur, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu are now as visible and funded as those from metropolitan hubs. Initiatives such as the Khelo India University Games, SAI's National Centres of Excellence, and CSR-backed rural academies are ensuring that no talent goes unnoticed.

Physical Literacy and Mental Health: Expanding the Definition of Fitness

This year’s Sports Day also highlights the importance of physical literacy and mental well-being. With sedentary lifestyles and digital addictions on the rise, especially among youth, national campaigns emphasize daily physical activity, outdoor play, and screen-free time.

Meanwhile, athlete mental health — once considered taboo — is now being openly addressed. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations such as the Olympic Gold Quest and the Fit India Movement have incorporated sports psychology into their training regimens. Athletes are now encouraged to seek support for performance anxiety, depression, and burnout without stigma.

The Private Sector’s Growing Role

India’s sports ecosystem is no longer the sole responsibility of the government. The private sector — through sponsorships, leagues, scholarships, and training programs — has emerged as a formidable ally.

Examples include:

- JSW Sports’ high-performance centres.

- Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) and GoSports Foundation support for Olympic-bound athletes.

- Corporate-sponsored leagues like Pro Kabaddi, ISL (football), and Ultimate Table Tennis.

-India’s budding startup ecosystem for fitness and sports analytics tools.

These collaborations are crucial for establishing a financially sustainable sports model.

Looking Ahead: Vision 2047 – A Sporting Superpower?

As India approaches 100 years of independence in 2047, the government’s long-term roadmap includes becoming a Top 10 Olympic nation. This will require not just medals, but a cultural transformation — where sports are embedded into education, urban planning, public health, and national identity. The upcoming National Sports University in Manipur, increased spending in the Union Budget, and India's bid to host the 2036 Olympics are signs of this vision in motion.

In a country of over 1.4 billion people, the potential is limitless. What’s required is a sustained ecosystem of support, incentives, and dignity for every athlete — from a local panchayat’s kho-kho star to a podium-finisher in Paris.

The Spirit of the Day: More Than Medals

National Sports Day 2025 is not just about professional athletes or Olympic medals. It’s about embedding a sporting mindset in every Indian household. Whether it's a teenager running a local 5K, an elderly citizen practicing yoga in the park, or children learning to swim, movement is medicine, and sports are its most joyful form.

Major Dhyan Chand once said, "The day we start playing for the love of the game, not just for accolades, we will truly be a sporting nation." As we celebrate his legacy today, his words ring more relevant than ever. Let this be the year we not only cheer for our champions but become champions of health, effort, and teamwork in our own lives.

(Note: Dr (Prof) Sadhana Kala is a USA-trained robotic & laparoscopic surgeon, Uppsala University, Sweden, trained fertility specialist, Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of North India, and National Icon Endoscopic Surgeon of India. She is rated as India's Best Gynecologist by Google.)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.)