National Sports Day commemorates the contribution of hockey player Major Dhyan Chand annually on August 29. It also emphasises the importance of sports, physical activity, and honouring Dhyan Chand’s legacy. This year, the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, will lead Fit India’s pan-India Sports Movement till August 31.
India honours Major Dhyan Chand
Minister Mandaviya paid a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi earlier today. India’s three-day Sports Movement commenced today with the theme “Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main”. Eminent athletes and other public representatives will also take part in this fitness journey on National Sports Day 2025. India has several campaigns to promote health, sports, and fitness, including ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India Movement’.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on X (formerly Twitter) and paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand. He wrote, “In the last decade, India’s sporting landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. From grassroots programmes that nurture young talent to creating world-class facilities, we are seeing a vibrant sports ecosystem in our nation.”
Greetings on National Sports Day! On this special occasion, we pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand Ji, whose excellence continues to inspire generations.
In the last decade, India’s sporting landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation. From grassroots programmes that…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2025
Why is August 29 National Sports Day?
Marking the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29. An Olympic gold medalist, he is also known as “The Wizard” for his exemplary display of sportsmanship. Putting India on the global sports map in 1928, 1932, and 1936, Major Dhyan Chand won a gold medal in these years.
The significance of National Sports Day
The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sports, physical fitness, and a healthy lifestyle. The Indian Government declared August 29 as National Sports Day in 2012. The International Sports Day, on the other hand, is celebrated on April 6 to mark the first Olympic Games held in Athens.
Sports fraternity shares messages
With India’s love for cricket, the game has become an integral part of today’s society. From bonding over the Indian Premier League (IPL) to cheering the loudest at India’s Olympic wins, the sports fraternity has always presented a united front in India.
Several sports teams and famous sports personalities shared their messages for National Sports Day 2025.
Chennai Super Kings took to X (formerly Twitter) and honoured the sporting legends of India, sharing images of Sunil Chettri, Mary Kom, and PV Sindhu among others.
Yuvraj Singh, too, honoured Major Dhyan Chand and his contributions which made sport India’s greatest identity. He shared, “Let’s commit to building a nation where every child has the chance to play, grow and shine.”
Indian hockey player and Olympic medallist Manpreet Singh also shared his thoughts on National Sports Day. He underlined the importance of sports. “They are more than just games,” he said.
