Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

India celebrates National Sports Day on August 29 every year in honour of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. The ritual to mark the birth anniversary of the wizard of hockey as the biggest day for Indian sportspersons was started in 2012.

Dhyan Chand played a key role in India’s hattrick of Olympic triumphs in 1928, 1932, and 1936. His career lasted from 1928 to 1946 during which he scored more than 400 international goals.

His outstanding performance in the 1936 Berlin Olympics against Germany in the final in front of Adolf Hitler is believed to have prompted even the German ruler to have praised Dhyan Chand’s skill.

He was awarded India’s highest civilian award Padma Bhushan in 1956.

Dhyan Chand was born in 1905 in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad). He died in 1979 in Delhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the country on the occasion this year.

Greetings on National Sports Day and tributes to Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary.

The recent years have been great for sports. May this trend continue. May sports keep gaining popularity across India. pic.twitter.com/g04aqModJT

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2022

Among others to greet on the occasion was Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Anurag Thakur.

नए भारत में आज जितना महत्व शिक्षा का है, उतना ही महत्व खेल का भी है। खेलो इंडिया योजना के तहत आज न केवल ग्रामीण क्षेत्रों की प्रतिभा को अंतर्राष्ट्रीय मंच दिया जा रहा है बल्कि भारतीय पारंपरिक खेलों को भी प्रोत्साहन दिया जा रहा है। #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/ZXQpVhF2he

— Office of Mr. Anurag Thakur (@Anurag_Office) August 29, 2022

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar too took to twitter on this day to inspire Indians to play sports.

Age is no bar to transform 🇮🇳 into a #SportPlayingNation!

On #NationalSportsDay let’s all pick up any sport and play it regularly. Let’s be a fitter nation. pic.twitter.com/pLMckBcgDs

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 29, 2022

Renowned international sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik paid his tributes in his own unique way.

Tributes to the Hockey Legend , #MajorDhyanChand Ji on his birth anniversary. My humble appeal #BharatRatnaForDhyanChand. One of my SandArt . pic.twitter.com/ksEH9T9zxE

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 29, 2022

To inculcate excellence in sports, the government announces various awards for outstanding players.

The Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award is the highest award given in sports in the country.

Arjuna Award is given to sportspersons who have shown excellent results in at least four preceding seasons.

The Dronacharya award is given to coaches who have consistently produced international medalists.

With the aim to promote awareness about sports in the country, the government on this day organizes various sports events and competitions.

In 2018, PM Narendra Modi launched the 'Khelo India games with the aim to provide a platform to the upcoming players from across the country. Many of the international medalists today have been picked from these games over the years.