National Sports Day

National Sports Day is observed every year on 29th August to venerate the birth anniversary of India's greatest Hockey Player 'Major Dhyan Chand', also known as 'Hockey Wizard'. He was a trailblazer who strengthened Indian hockey to the level of International Standards. He made India proud by winning three Olympic Gold Medals in 1928, 1932 & 1936 respectively. He had scored more than 1000 goals during his vocation. He had been conferred with the Padma Bhushan Award in 1956. 

Indians celebrate this day to ignite the spirit of sportsmanship and to evoke the message of integrity towards sports. It was first inaugurated in 2012 by the Government of India to pay homage to the great contributions of this legendary player.

National Sports Day is also known as ‘Rashtriya Khel Diwas’. On this Day, the distinguished sports personalities of India are highly acclaimed with major awards in a 'Special Award Ceremony' at Rashtriya Bhawan. 

This great occasion becomes more prominent as the President of India entrusts the prestigious awards like ‘The Arjuna Award’, ‘The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award’, and ‘The Dronacharya Award’ to the deserving sportsmen who bring laurels to the country in that year. ‘The Dhyan Chand Award’ is tantamount to the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award in sports and tops the list.

● Arjuna Award
● Dhayan Chand Award
● Dronacharya Award
● Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award

ARJUNA AWARD 

‘The Arjuna Award’ was introduced in 1961. The Scheme of ‘Arjuna Award’ has been amended lately by the Government of India for displaying exceptional performance in sports and games. According to the latest changes, a sports person should not only have had good performance persistently for the preceding three years at the international level including the current performance but also need to have the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sagacity of discipline. The award encompasses a statuette, a scroll of honour, a traditional dress and a cash award of Rs. 5 lakhs. 

Dhyan Chand Award 

‘The Dhyan Chand Award’ is formally acknowledged as ‘Lifetime Achievement’ in sports and games. The award comprises a statuette, a certificate, ceremonial dress, and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs. 

DRONACHARYA AWARD 

‘The Dronacharya Award’ was established in 1985 to honour renowned Coaches who have accomplished astounding results in international competitions. The award comprises a statuette of Guru Dronacharya, a scroll of honour, ceremonial dress and a cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs. 

RAJIV GANDHI KHEL RATNA AWARD 

The ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award’ was introduced by the Government of India in 1991- 92 for the most extravagant and stupendous performance by a sports person in a year. This award is the highest sporting honour of our country and carries a medal, a scroll of honour and a cash prize of Rs.7.5 lakhs. 

Purpose & Significance of National Sports Day 

‘National Sports Day’ brings forth the high values in sports to motivate the new generation. It is celebrated to reawaken the fortitude of sportsmanship and to encourage young Indian talents, so that they can scale higher eminence in the global arena.

 “When people throw stones at you, you turn them into milestones.”

                          -      Sachin Tendulkar.      

 

Sports Department

The Mann School