NATIONAL SPORTS DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 - Sports)

Context: The Prime Minister has greeted all sports persons on National Sports Day.

National Sports Day

• The National Sports Day or Rashtriya Khel Divas is celebrated on 29th August every year in India as a tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand who was born on this date in 1905.
• Major Dhyan Chand was awarded the Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India in 1956, the third-largest civilian honour in India.
• The day was first designated and celebrated in 2012 as India’s National Sports Day.
• The nation celebrates the day honouring our sports stars.
• The president gives away sports awards such as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Awards on this occasion.
• The primary motto of National Sports Day is to promote awareness about the significance of sports and being physically active in day-to-day life.
• The Government of India organises various programs, events, seminars etc to raise awareness about the significance of National Sports Day.