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National Sports Day 2026: National Sports Day is celebrated every year in India on 29th August, on the birth anniversary of hockey magician Major Dhyanchand. Major Dhyan Chand played an important role in giving recognition to Indian hockey at the global level. He had helped the Indian hockey team win the gold medal in the Olympics for three consecutive times. When he played on the field, magic was visible in his game. It seemed as if the ball was stuck to his stick like a magnet. People all over the world were crazy about Dhyanchand’s game. Not only this, Hitler had also become a big fan of Dhyanchand’s game, after which he even offered him to play in Germany. However, Dhyan Chand rejected this offer. Let us know about Major Dhyanchand today on the occasion of National Sports Day.

served as a soldier

Major Dhyan Chand was born on August 29, 1905 in Prayagraj (Allahabad). His father was in the British Army. Dhyanchand was fond of wrestling in his childhood, but after joining the army at the age of 16, he started playing hockey. Gradually his love for hockey increased a lot. Dhyanchand loved hockey so much that he used to stay awake and practice in the moonlight nights.

This was the reason why his friends started calling him Chand. Later his name became Dhyan Chand, whereas earlier it was only Dhyan Singh. While serving in the army, Dhyanchand started playing regimental matches. On the basis of his excellent performance, he got promoted. Dhyanchand, who joined the army as a constable, was later made a major.

chance to play for india

After Dhyan Chand’s consistently excellent performance in hockey, he was given a chance in the Indian team for the New Zealand tour. He played brilliantly on that tour and led Team India to victory in 18 matches. India lost only 1 match on the New Zealand tour. Dhyanchand’s biggest contribution in this big victory was. After this, the Indian Hockey Federation called Dhyan Chand for trials for the 1928 Olympics. Dhyanchand passed the trials and made his place in the team for the Olympics.

Major Dhyanchand’s performance in the Olympics was historic. He scored 14 goals in just 5 matches and became the highest goalscorer in the tournament. On the basis of his brilliant performance, India did not suffer a single defeat in the entire tournament and returned to India with a gold medal in the Olympics. After this, Dhyanchand started being discussed all over the world. Then in the Olympics of 1932 and 1936 also, Dhyanchand won the gold medal for India with his magical game.

Hitler had offered

When Major Dhyanchand was playing in the 1936 Olympics, Hitler gave him a big offer. Actually, in a match, the Indian team faced Germany, in which India defeated Germany badly 8-1. Seeing his team losing, Hitler left the stadium in the middle of the match. Later Hitler called Dhyanchand and offered him a big post in his army and asked him to play for Germany, but Dhyanchand rejected this offer. Major Dhyan Chand served India for 34 years and then retired as a Lieutenant. He played 185 matches during his international career, in which he scored 570 goals. For Dhyanchand’s contribution to sports, ‘National Sports Day’ is celebrated in India on the occasion of his birth anniversary.