National Sports Day 2022: ‘Meet The Champion’ Initiative

The National Sports Day is a particularly unique day in India because we commemorate the birthday of hockey great Major Dhyan Chand on August 29 every year.

Every year on August 29th, India observes National Sports Day to recognise the anniversary of the birth of Major Dhyan Chand, a hockey star. The purpose of the day is to promote physical exercise, sports, and general health.

As part of honoring their contributions and commitment to bringing honor to the nation, the day is also devoted to India’s sports stars and champions.

History of National Sports Day 2022

On August 29, 2012, India celebrated its first National Sports Day. Major Dhyan Chand, also referred to as the “Hockey Wizard” and “The Magician,” was born on 29th August, 1905, and National Sports Day is observed to honor him.

Significance of National Sports Day 2022

The main goal of National Sports Day is to raise public awareness of the value of sports and physical activity in everyone’s daily lives. 

The government also put on a number of events, seminars, and other activities to spread the word about the value of sports and physical activity in daily life.

Who Was Major Dhyan Chand?

Major Dhyan Chand played hockey and was a part of the Indian Men’s Hockey squad. 

Dhayan Chand, widely regarded as the “Wizard of Hockey,” was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad (Prayagraj), Uttar Pradesh. In the years leading up to independence, he became well-known.

Also Read: The Great ‘National Sports Awards’ of India 2022

Dhayan Chand was a crucial contributor to India’s first hat-trick of Olympic gold medal victories at the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Games as the star of the Indian hockey squad.

The Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honor, the same year he retired from the Indian Army as a Major from the Punjab Regiment.

PM Modi’s ‘Meet The Champion’ Initiative

On National Sports Day 29th August, 2022, 26 schools across India will participate in the “Meet The Champion” campaign, according to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

It has been said in an official statement,

“With the special occasion of the National Sports Day and as a tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has now expanded the initiative to also include athletes who participated in the recently-concluded Commonwealth Games (CWG) and World Championships.”