New Delhi: Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal joined National Sports Day celebrations at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday, paying tribute to legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand and taking part in sporting activities, including a game of cricket.
The celebrations were held to mark the 121st birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, whose contribution to Indian hockey continues to inspire generations of athletes. The two ministers garlanded his statue at the stadium and paid floral tribute to the hockey great before joining participants in the day's activities.
This year's National Sports Day celebrations are centred on the nationwide ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ initiative, which encourages citizens, particularly young people, to spend at least one hour playing sports or taking part in physical activity. Hundreds of participants gathered at the stadium from the morning and participated in a range of sports and fitness activities.
Mandaviya, who led the celebrations, stressed the importance of making sports a regular part of everyday life. He said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the Fit India Movement and encouraging people to dedicate time to physical activity. The Sports Minister also called on young people to make sports and fitness a priority, linking a healthy population with the country's broader development goals.
Meghwal also highlighted the role of regular physical activity in maintaining both physical and mental well-being. Speaking during the programme, he said sports had always been part of his life, mentioning activities such as kabaddi, football and badminton. He emphasised that playing sports regularly helps people stay fit, healthy and free from mental stress.
The ministers' participation in cricket added a lively touch to the celebrations, reinforcing the message that sports should be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Images from the event showed Mandaviya taking part in the cricket activity at the stadium.
National Sports Day is observed across India every year on August 29 in honour of Major Dhyan Chand. Widely remembered as one of the country's greatest hockey players, Dhyan Chand played a key role in India's Olympic hockey triumphs in 1928, 1932 and 1936. His legacy remains an important part of India's sporting history and continues to inspire young athletes.
The 2026 celebrations therefore combined remembrance with active participation, with the government using the occasion to promote a stronger culture of sports, fitness and healthy living among citizens, especially the country's youth.
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