Hockey hero Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary is commemorated as National Sports Day on 29th August, every year. Major Dhyan Chand was called “The Wizard of Hockey” for his accomplishments in the sport.
One of India’s greatest sports persons, Major Dhyan Chand earned India three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He was the top scorer with three goals in India’s 8-1 victory against Germany in the 1936 Berlin Olympic final and scored 14 goals at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics.
Major Dhyan Chand has received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan in 1956, has a national stadium in New Delhi and an Award named after him. The Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports is a national sporting honour named after the hockey legend and continues to serve as an inspiration to many hockey players.
Over the course of his 22-year career, he scored over 400 goals. Following his retirement, the great hockey player worked as the chief coach at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala for a short time.
India gave a stellar performance with seven medals earned in Tokyo 2020.
Many took to Twitter to pay their tribute and respect to Major Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day:
मेजर ध्यानचंद जी ने अपने समर्पण व उपलब्धियों से भारतीय हॉकी को नई पहचान दिलाई। मूलभूत संसाधनों की कमी के बावजूद विश्व में माँ भारती का गौरव बढ़ाने का उनका जुनून व संकल्प सदैव प्रेरणीय रहेगा।
उनकी जयंती पर उन्हें स्मरण कर नमन करता हूँ।
‘राष्ट्रीय खेल दिवस’ की शुभकामनाएं। pic.twitter.com/fZz2T4WDhh
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 29, 2021
On #NationalSportsDay and birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand,
I pay my humble tribute to legendary ‘The Wizard of Indian Hockey’.I also salute all the athletes who had played for India & brought laurels for our country!#MajorDhyanChand #KheloIndia #NationalSportsDay2021 pic.twitter.com/kpalP7jhPV
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) August 29, 2021
I extend my heartiest wishes to all our sportspersons, coaches & those who have dedicated their life to sport, on the occasion of National Sports Day.
On the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of Major Dhyanchand, let us pledge and aim to make India a sporting powerhouse!
— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) August 29, 2021
My humble tribute to the Hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand ji on his birthday anniversary. He has been the inspiration of millions of sportspersons across the nation. Wishing everyone on #Nationalsportsday! pic.twitter.com/rsXeru3KpK
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) August 29, 2021
(With Agency Inputs)
