National Sports Day 2025: History, Activities & Facts of National Sports Day of India

History Of National Sports Day

The history of hockey in India is associated with one legendary name – Major Dhyan Chand. He is regarded as the ultimate field hockey player in India. He was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905, to Sharadha and Rameshwar Singh in a Kushwaha Rajput family. Mool Singh and Roop Singh were two brothers of Dhyan Chand. Roop Singh also played hockey for the Indian national team and bagged gold medals for the country in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games.

The Father of Dhyan Chand worked in the British Army in India and he was a player in their hockey team. Chand imbibed his hockey talent from his father and is known for his wonderful control of the ball as well as his goal-scoring skills. From 1928 to 1964, India won seven of the eight field hockey events in the Olympics and demonstrated the superb influence of Chand’s skills in the game.

As mentioned in his autobiography, Dhyan Chand played international hockey from 1926 to 1949. In the 185 hockey matches throughout his career, he scored 570 goals. Chand retired from the game in 1956. In the same year, he retired from his position in the Indian Army as a major. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

History Of National Sports Day

The history of hockey in India is associated with one legendary name – Major Dhyan Chand. He is regarded as the ultimate field hockey player in India. He was born in Allahabad on 29 August 1905, to Sharadha and Rameshwar Singh in a Kushwaha Rajput family. Mool Singh and Roop Singh were two brothers of Dhyan Chand. Roop Singh also played hockey for the Indian national team and bagged gold medals for the country in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games.

The Father of Dhyan Chand worked in the British Army in India and he was a player in their hockey team. Chand imbibed his hockey talent from his father and is known for his wonderful control of the ball as well as his goal-scoring skills. From 1928 to 1964, India won seven of the eight field hockey events in the Olympics and demonstrated the superb influence of Chand’s skills in the game.

As mentioned in his autobiography, Dhyan Chand played international hockey from 1926 to 1949. In the 185 hockey matches throughout his career, he scored 570 goals. Chand retired from the game in 1956. In the same year, he retired from his position in the Indian Army as a major. He is the recipient of Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award.

When was National Sports Day First Celebrated in India?

The National Sports Day was introduced in India in the year 2012 to mark his birthday. The day is observed to honor the hockey legend and to generate awareness of the significance of sporting events and fitness in life.

On the occasion of National Sports Day, India’s President bestows honors on Indian players such as Arjuna Awards, Khel Ratna, Dhyan Chand Awards, and Dronacharya Awards. Dhyan Chand left this world on 3 December 1979.

National Sports Day Activities

Below are some activities that can be performed during Nation Sports Day:

• Make a team with your buddies and cheer your favorite hockey team together
• You can also enjoy hockey by playing with other local teams and clubs irrespective of your level of skill
• Read about national hockey legends like Dhyan Chand who is regarded as a great hockey player in India of all time. Know about his passion for the sport and his accomplishments
• Click group photographs of your own team wearing t-shirts of your favorite team and share them with your family and friends. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #NationalSportsDay while sharing on social media

5 Facts About Sports

Here are some interesting facts about sports:

1. Significance of the Olympic Ring – The Olympic rings and the white background on them signify the flags of every participating country that are present in the event in that particular year.
2. Popular sport in the world – Hockey is known as the second most popular game after football in the world.
3. Champion of the game – Like Muhammad Ali is regarded in boxing, Dhyan Chand is regarded in Hockey.
4. Kinds of sports – There are as many as 8,000 different sports activities enlisted in the “World Sports Encyclopedia”
5. Oldest world sport – Wrestling was said to be the first sport and it started in ancient Greece around 776 B.C.

National Sports Day: Take a Step Ahead for a Healthy Lifestyle

National Sports Day of India or Rashtriya Khel Diwas is celebrated on 29th August and happens to be just around the corner. National Sports Day of India is a reminder for all Indians of the important role that sports play in our lives and how much we need to indulge in sports and physical activities. There was a time when playing some kind of sports was the best way to have fun and stay healthy; however, most of us now prefer creature comforts over the exhilaration of sports. This results in a sedentary lifestyle which leads to many lifestyle diseases.

Ever since COVID-19 hit, our physical activities have been at an all-time low. This is why many of us end up complaining about aches and pains in our bodies. Such body pain should be taken as an alarm call and you must start participating in a suitable sport or physical activity while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Let us today discuss here a bit about a healthy lifestyle and the important role it can play in our lives.

What is a healthy lifestyle?

From waking up early in the morning to going to the bed early, from eating balanced and clean food to drinking plenty of water and even activities such as walking, everything is considered a part of a healthy lifestyle. It means you are maintaining a lifestyle that can improve and sustain your health. When you start following healthy lifestyle habits, they will benefit your body and keep it in good form. You can see positive changes happening in your body and also how easy it becomes to stay away from all the health issues that have been bothering you so far.

What is the importance of a healthy lifestyle?

When you maintain a healthy lifestyle, you get several types of benefits. Here are some points mentioned below that talk about the importance of a healthy lifestyle.

1. You can live longer

One of the prime benefits of living a healthy life is that you are going to live longer and be around your family for years. In fact, if you drink alcohol in moderation, quit smoking, workout regularly, and eat healthily, you can extend your longevity by up to 14 years.

2. Your stress gets controlled

Stress is perhaps one of the most common issues we face these days. It gets even worse when you do not follow a healthy regime. One of the best ways to control your stress is by eating the right kind of food and indulging in physical exercise.

3. You can stay away from addictions

If you are addicted to a substance and have been looking for ways to quit it, then you need to start living healthy. From your choice of food to the time you are going to bed, everything has to be maintained properly along with proper exercise regularly. This helps you effectively quit your dependence on the substance and live an addiction-free life.

4. Boosts self-esteem

When you eat the right kind of food and maintain the portion size, and also when you regularly exercise, you start feeling good about your body. You not only start feeling light and your mood is uplifted but you also start looking good. This ultimately boosts your self-esteem.

5. Lesser visits to the hospital

When you are healthy, you tend to go to the hospital less. As you start living a healthy life, your immune system gets better and the tendency of falling sick becomes lesser. This way, your hospital visits get lesser.

6. You can save on health insurance premium

When you apply for a health insurance policy, the insurance company will request you to undergo a medical checkup. On the basis of the health checkup, the premium you have to pay will be determined. If you are diagnosed with no diseases or health conditions, your premium will be lesser. And if you are diagnosed with some kind of illness, you may end up paying a higher premium or your application may even get rejected.

7 Healthy lifestyle tips

If you are yet to commence your healthy lifestyle, you can get started with it this National Sports Day in 2022. Here are some tips for you to start with.

1. You can add variety to your meals

While you are choosing to eat healthy food, you also need to add a variety of food to your regular meals. Your meals should include legumes, fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Also, make sure you add all the seasonal fruits and vegetables. You also should add fatty fish so that you can get Omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Limit sugar intake

You must try to limit your sugar intake. You should not take more than 50gm of sugar in a day. You also must stop having carbonated drinks, candies, chocolates, juices that contain sugar, etc.

3. Cut back on salt

A meal with less salt may taste bland. However, you must try to eat as less salt as possible. Options like chips and soy salt that have a high amount of salt in them should be removed from your diet.

4. Keep yourself hydrated

Staying hydrated is very important for one and all. You must drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Once you start drinking plenty of water regularly, you will be able to find a difference in your health.

5. Exercise regularly

Exercising regularly is one of the things that you should add to your daily habits. Even if it is not a high-intensity workout, you must stretch your body for a minimum of 20-minutes. Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the risk of diseases in your body. As you exercise on a daily basis, you will also be less stressed.

6. Get enough sleep

We do not realize that sleep plays a vital role to maintain good health. You must take 8 hours of sleep regularly so that you can function throughout the day properly.

7. Give up on alcohol and smoking

Alcohol consumption and smoking, both are considered bad habits. Therefore, even if you have been indulging in both of these, you must limit drinking alcohol and quit smoking at the earliest.

While you take care of your health in every possible way, you also should consider buying a health insurance policy. Although these habits can reduce your chances of developing diseases, you can still get some illnesses that run in your family. In that case, having a health insurance policy can help you claim the hospital expenses. You do not have to pay anything directly from your pockets or can get them reimbursed later. In cashless treatment, the bills are settled between the hospital and the insurance company with the minimal financial impact on you.

If you are wondering where to get the best health insurance plan, then you can explore the online websites. You can find various health plans under a single umbrella, compare them and choose the one that fits your needs well.