“Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have the skill and the will. But the will stronger than the skill.”
August 29th- The remarkable day in the sports' history of India marks the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand Singh. Observed annually, this day is also known as Rashtriya Khel Divas or National Sports Day of India. Famously known as ‘The Wizard’, he made India proud with his extraordinary goal-scoring sporting skills.
The Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi is created in the honor of the Great Indian Hockey Player Dhyan Chand. Therefore, every year in the Dhyan Chand National Stadium of the New Delhi, hockey and many other sports are organised between different teams and competitors to relive the essence of sports and sportsmanship. Most schools arrange annual Sports events on this day every year by organizing different games and sports. The participating students portray their capability and winners in the games get a sense of competitiveness. Appraisals are awarded to the winners to motivate the young generation.
This day is observed by the Government of India where the President of India bestows prestigious National sports Awards to players who have excelled in their respective fields and have contributed to the growth of sports all through their sports career. Various awards such as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, and Dronacharya award are conferred. A postage stamp was also issued by the Indian Postal Service in his honor.
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna is the highest sporting honour for an Indian athlete and is given to four athletes in a single year. The Arjuna Awards are next in the pecking order and given to a maximum of 17 athletes in a single year. The Dronacharya Award is handed out to outstanding coaches, while the Dhyan Chand honour is a lifetime achievement honour.
There was an era when the Indian Hockey team was known as the most dominant and toughest team in the world of Hockey. Till date, rated the greatest hockey player India has ever seen. Better known for his extraordinary feats, he had scored more than 1000 goals during his international career in addition to earning 3 Olympic gold medals in field hockey in 1928 (Amsterdam), 1932 (Los Angeles), and 1936 (Berlin). In the year 1956, the Government of India awarded him the third highest (then second highest) civilian honour of Padma Bhushan. Till date, he remains the only hockey player who has received this award. His lifetime awards and achievements in sports are considered as the highest point in the history of Indian sports.
The legendary hockey player was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. As a young boy of 16 years, he joined the British Indian Army at the age of 16. Following his father’s footsteps, he started practicing the sport. He would wait for the moon to come out to practice, which prompted his teammates to give him the name “Chand”, a name which means the moon. That is how he became known as Dhyan Chand. HOCKEY is our national sport and his name is immortalised by his achievements.
After putting his footprints on the international hockey arena, and having served his country to reach its pinnacles of glory multiple times, Dhayanchand passed away on 3 December 1979. He remains a legendary figure in Indian and world hockey.
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” -Vince Lombardi
Failure isn’t the absence of success, but merely a delay in achieving success. Do not let one lost game deter your winning spirit. A true sportsperson will bounce back and give an even better performance. True sportsperson does not believe in quitting, they will fight until their last breathe to make sure that they have it in them to handle the different adversities.
A sport is the epitome of hard work and dedication. This day is an impetus for the youth as it stresses upon the importance of sports in everyday life. All life lessons can be learned while playing sports. Since it builds up good habits, confidence, discipline, and makes one strong, the importance of sports could never be denied. Only a few sportsmen emerge victoriously and win laurels, but the sportsmanship developed through learning gives all players the opportunity to become great leaders with strong team spirit, useful for society It teaches multiple qualities like a sense of togetherness, leadership skills, stamina, physical strength, planning and strategy, patriotism and teamwork. The celebration is meant to spread awareness about what role sports play in an individual’s life. Such events give recognition, provide employment to youth, and arises awareness of performances of Indian sportspersons in different championships. The sports fans as well as the other citizens in the country recognize the work of different sportspersons, and in the reminiscence of the greatest of all of them, this day is celebrated with much excitement.
Sports Day is traditionally celebrated on August 29 every year but in this year 2018, the Sports Ministry has decided to shift the date as it coincides with the Asian Games scheduled from August 18-September But the government has a provision to name outstanding sportspersons of the Asian Games to the recommendation committee. Dhyan Chand is arguably the greatest sportsperson that India has ever produced. It is not surprising, then, that the Government decided to celebrate his memory so strikingly; there can be a no greater honour than having your birthday designated as the National Sports Day of a country!
“ARISE, AWAKE, AND NOT STOP TILL THE GOAL IS ACHIEVED."