Today is National Sports Day. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of greatest field hockey player Major Dhyan Chand.

National Sports Day is celebrated annually on 29th August, to emphasize the importance of sports and physical activities and to honor Major Dhyan Chand’s legacy in Indian hockey.

Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya paid a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi this morning. Talking to media, Dr. Mandaviya said, Citizens of the country should stay fit and healthy.

He stressed that a healthy citizen builds a healthy society and a healthy society builds a prosperous country. The Minister said that all citizens should take one hour out of their busy schedule and play one game of their interest and stay fit.

Also read: Paris Olympics: Indian Hockey Team Gets Heroic Welcome at Bhubaneswar Airport

Earlier, Dr. Mandaviya had given a clarion call to all citizens to participate in outdoor sports for at least one hour in celebration of the National Sports Day.

He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a dream to make India a fit nation and given the slogan- “Khelega India, Khilega India”. The Minister urged citizens to take part in the nationwide celebration today.

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. He also wished all the countrymen on National Sports Day.