National Sports Day: History and Significance

Rashtriya Khel Divas, or National Sports Day, is an annual observance held on August 29. The day marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, India’s hockey wizard. The goal of National Sports Day is to honour Major Dhyanchand’s legacy while raising awareness about the importance and benefits of incorporating sports and physical activities into […]

Rashtriya Khel Divas, or National Sports Day, is an annual observance held on August 29. The day marks the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, India’s hockey wizard. The goal of National Sports Day is to honour Major Dhyanchand’s legacy while raising awareness about the importance and benefits of incorporating sports and physical activities into our daily lives.

This year, the ‘Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ (MYAS) and the ‘Fit India Mission’ aim to take the FIT India movement to Schools/Colleges/Ministries/Govt & Pvt Organizations by encouraging them to participate in a big way on National Sports Day on August 29th. Schools/Colleges/Ministries/Govt & Pvt Organizations should encourage their students/employees/staff to participate in sports/fitness activities for at least one hour on this day.

The following activities are suggested to engage participants:

S. NoOutdoor ActivityIndoor ActivityFun Activity
1FootballBadmintonSack Race
2RunningVolleyballLemon Race
3Kho-KhoHandballRope Skipping
4TennisBasketballAerobics
5HockeyTable-TennisSquat Challenge

Participation Mode

  • Schools, colleges, ministries, the government, and private organisations should register on the Fit India website (https://fitindia.gov.in/national-sports-day-2022) and provide all necessary information.
  • Schools/Colleges/Ministries/Govt & Pvt Organizations must submit their data and upload photos / video links from their events in order to download an e-certificate.

PM Modi tweeted to wish everyone on the National Sports Day

History of National Sports Day


The day was established in 2012 to honour Major Dhyanchand. Major Dhyanchand, who was born on August 29, 1905, went on to become a hockey legend. He began his career with a regimental squad of the British Indian Army.


Major Dhyanchand was instrumental in India’s three consecutive Olympic gold medal victories in 1928, 1932, and 1936. In 1956, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award. The Indian Postal Department issued special stamps honouring the hockey magician in 1979.

Significance of National Sports Day


The purpose of National Sports Day is to raise awareness about the importance of sports and the benefits of staying physically active throughout life. Throughout the country, various events with the theme of promoting sports among people are organised.

On this day, the country’s outstanding athletes are recognised with awards such as the Arjuna Award, the Dhyan Chand Award, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, and the Dronacharya Award. The President of India bestows the awards during a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebration of National Sports Day has been kept low-key for the past two years.

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