Archive · 29 Aug 2026
National Sports Day Honors Dhyan Chand, Promotes Nationwide Fitness
National Sports Day honors famous hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked people to play sports and stay fit.
A campaign encouraged people to spend time on playgrounds instead of screens.
Sports activities were held at a stadium in New Delhi.
These included cricket, football and tug-of-war.
Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also said sports help physical and mental health.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar met 60 young squash players.
He said young athletes can help India succeed, especially because squash will be in the Olympics from 2028.
Mansukh Mandaviya paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand during National Sports Day celebrations.
A nationwide ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ campaign encouraged people, especially youth, to spend time playing sports.
Mandaviya linked regular physical activity with the Fit India Movement, a healthy society and national development.
Celebrations at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium featured cricket, football, tug-of-war and a four-team cricket competition.
S Jaishankar met 60 young squash players in New Delhi and said squash will become an Olympic sport in 2028.
- Who
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, young athletes and other participants.
- What
- National Sports Day celebrations honored Major Dhyan Chand and promoted sports, fitness and youth participation.
- When
- The reports describe the celebrations as taking place on Friday and Saturday; one report identifies the occasion as Major Dhyan Chand’s 121st birth anniversary.
- Where
- Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi; Jaishankar separately met squash players at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya Andrews Ganj.
- Why
- To honor Major Dhyan Chand, encourage regular physical activity, support the Fit India Movement and nurture young sporting talent.
- Occasion
- National Sports Day, observed on Major Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary.
- Main campaign
- ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein,’ encouraging people to spend time playing sports.
- Main venue
- Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi.
- Activities
- Cricket, football, tug-of-war and other sporting and fitness activities.
- Cricket competition
- Teams included Ministry XI, SAI XI, Media XI and Influencers XI.
- Young squash players
- Jaishankar interacted with 60 budding squash players.
- Olympic milestone
- Squash is scheduled to become an Olympic sport from 2028.
