National Sports Day
Context:
India celebrates National Sports Day every year on August 29, a special occasion dedicated to honouring the spirit of sports in the country.
About National Sports Day:
- The Indian government established National Sports Day in 2012, designating August 29 as a day to recognise excellence in sports.
- This day serves as a celebration and a reminder of how sports enrich our lives and foster community bonds.
- The date was chosen to pay tribute to Major Dhyan Chand, famously known as the “Wizard of Hockey.”
- On this special day, various sports-related events are organised across the country, where athletes, teams, and individuals are honoured for their outstanding achievements.
- The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of sports and physical fitness in daily life.
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Major Dhyan Chand Born on August 29, 1905, Dhyan Chand is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in history. His exceptional skills and dedication helped India win Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932, and 1936. Renowned for his ball control and on-field vision, he earned the titles “Hockey Wizard” and “The Magician.” Due to his practice sessions under the moonlight, he was given the name “Chand,” meaning moon in Hindi. Throughout his career, Major Dhyan Chand played 185 matches and scored over 400 goals. In 2021, the Indian government honoured him by renaming the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, which is presented annually by the President of India. In 2023, badminton players Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy were among those who received this prestigious award, recognising their outstanding contributions to Indian sports. |
National Sports Awards:
The National Sports Awards represent the highest level of sporting honours in India, celebrating and rewarding exceptional achievements in sports. These awards are presented annually to recognise outstanding performances at both national and international levels, encourage sportsmanship, and foster a sense of national pride and unity in a diverse country like India. The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, administers these awards.
Categories:
The six main categories of the National Sports Awards are:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: Introduced in 1991-92, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award is India’s highest sporting honour.
- The award is given for outstanding achievements in sports over a four-year period, and recipients receive a medallion, certificate, and cash prize.
- Karnam Malleswari was the first Indian woman to receive the award.
- Arjuna Award: Named after Arjuna from the Mahabharata, the Arjuna Award was established in 1961 and was India’s top sporting honour before the Khel Ratna.
- It recognises consistent good performance over four years and includes a statuette of Arjuna, a certificate, and a cash prize.
- The first award went to football Olympian PK Banerjee.
- Dronacharya Award: Instituted in 1985, the Dronacharya Award is the highest honour for coaches in India, named after Dronacharya from the Mahabharata.
- It is awarded to coaches who produce medal winners at major international events and includes a bronze statue of Dronacharya, a certificate, and a cash prize.
- The first woman to receive the award was athletics coach Renu Kohli in 2002.
- Major Dhyan Chand Award: Named after Dhyan Chand, the Major Dhyan Chand Award honours lifetime achievements in sports.
- Established in 2002, it is given for significant contributions to sports and includes a statuette, certificate, and cash prize.
- The first recipients were Shahuraj Birajdar (Boxing), Ashok Diwan (Hockey), and Aparna Ghosh (Basketball).
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (MAKA Trophy): The oldest National Sports Award, the MAKA Trophy was introduced in 1956-57 in honour of Shri Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first education minister.
- It is awarded to institutions or universities for top performance in inter-university sports tournaments over the past year and includes a rolling trophy and a cash prize.
- Bombay University was the first recipient.
- Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar: Established in 2009, this award recognises organisations and individuals for their role in sports promotion and development.
- Categories include nurturing young talent, corporate social responsibility in sports, employment of sportspersons, and sports welfare measures.
- Winners receive a citation and a trophy.
- Tata Steel Limited was among the first to receive this award.
- Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award: Introduced in 1993-94 and named after the legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, this award recognises outstanding achievements in adventure sports.
- It was first awarded to members of the successful Indo-Nepalese women’s Everest expedition of 1993.
- Since 2004, the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award has also been presented alongside these six National Sports Awards.
Schemes implemented by the Ministry for the development of sports
