The national sports day in India is celebrated on 29 August on the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand Singh, Major Dhyan Chand Singh is regarded as India’s greatest hockey player of all time.
The late hockey player had led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936, he had scored over 400 goals in 22 years he was bestowed with India’s third-highest civilian owner Padma Bhushan in 1956
Dhyan Chand Singh also served in the Indian army and brought laurels to the country the first national sports day was celebrated on 29 august 2012. The day is observed also to spread awareness on the importance of sports to stay fit and healthy on this day the president of India honours eminent sports personalities with major awards including the Arjuna award major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award and the Dronacharya award.
Sport is very vital in the human’s life as it keeps us healthy, wealthy or active. There are several advantages of playing sports like it help us in building confidence, provides regular exercise, team-work, etc. Participating in sports also has psychological advantages like it relieves the stresses of everyday life.
The government understands the importance of national sports day & promoting sports as well. They have taken several initiatives for the development of sports like khelo India, National Sports Development Fund, and Scheme for Promotion of Sports among Persons with Disabilities, Scheme of Assistance for Anti-Doping Activities, etc. Khelo India is a very popular initiative taken by the government. The main aim of the Khelo India programme is to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establishes India as a great sporting nation. This program was introduced by the ministry of sports and youth affairs.
The Sports Authority of India is the premier sports body of the country which will spearhead India’s sporting ambitions and develop the environment to promote the sports culture in the country and sporting excellence.
Sports Authority of India is now in the process of formulating and implementing a series of reforms in the Sports Sector which will build on a holistic approach to the development of Sports and Physical Education. Sports Promotional Schemes of Sports Authority of India:
- National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC) – for Sub-Junior level trainees
- Army Boys Sports Company Scheme (ABSC) – for Sub-Junior level trainees
- SAI Training Centres Scheme (STC) – for Junior level trainees
- Extension Centre of STC /SAG
- Special Area Games Scheme (SAG) – for Junior level trainees
- Centre of Excellence Scheme (COX) – for Senior level trainees
- COME and PLAY Scheme
