The magician of Hockey Dhyanchand and National sports day
On August 29th every year, India celebrates National Sports Day. This day is commemorated on the birthday of Dhyan Chand, a legend in the history of sports and hockey. To honor and remember his significant contributions to Indian sports, the National Sports Day is observed on his birthday. Dhyan Chand, born in 1905 in Prayagraj, which was previously known as Allahabad, is being celebrated this year on his 118th birth anniversary.
It is said that when he played hockey, the ball would adhere to his hockey stick, showcasing his remarkable ability and skills in the game.
An intriguing fact about Dhyan Chand is that he was recruited into the army at the age of 16, after which he began his journey in hockey. His original name was Dhyan Singh. Dhyan Chand used to practice hockey after dark, leading his friends to notice that he would go to the field after the moon had risen. As a result, they added 'Chand' (moon) to his name, thus calling him Dhyan Chand.
He is also famously known as "the magician of hockey".
On National Sports Day, my greetings to all sportspersons. India is proud of their contributions to the nation. I pay homage to Major Dhyan Chand Ji as well on his birth anniversary.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2023
In his biography "Goal," Major Dhyan Chand wrote that he was an ordinary person. His dedication to hockey is evident from his craft of fashioning his own hockey stick from a tree. Dhyan Chand was wholly engrossed in hockey and focused on how he could enhance his skills in the game.
He was so exceptional in hockey that when he once couldn't score a goal, he asked the referee to verify the dimensions of the goal cage. It was discovered that the goal net's dimensions did not conform to international standards, which hindered his ability to score goals.
The Khel Ratna award, the highest sports award in India, is named after Dhyan Chand. The name was changed from Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award to Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2021.
Another captivating fact about Major Dhyan Chand is that he was invited by Hitler to join the German army, an offer he declined.
Dhyan Chand's significant contributions led India to win gold in the Olympics three times: at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympics, Los Angeles 1932 Olympics, and Berlin 1936 Olympics.
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