# National Sports Day: Tributes Paid to Major Dhyan Chand as Union Ministers Urge Youth to Embrace Sportsmanship > On National Sports Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders paid homage to hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, calling on India's youth to draw inspiration from his dedication and discipline. **Type:** article · **Category:** Leaders Speak · **Published:** 2026-08-29 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/neta-ji/rashtriya-khela-divasa-para-mejara-dhyanachnda-ko-shraddhanjali-kendriya-mntriyon-ne-yuvaon-se-ki-khela-bhavana-apanane-ki-apila-24123 · **Language:** English **Tags:** AmitShah India celebrates National Sports Day every year on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey icon Major Dhyan Chand. On this occasion, events were organized across the nation to promote athletic participation and motivate young athletes. Senior leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, paid rich tributes to the hockey maestro while urging the nation's youth to draw inspiration from his extraordinary legacy. Leaders emphasized that Major Dhyan Chand's career represents far more than sporting triumph, serving as a timeless beacon of rigorous discipline, patriotic passion, and unwavering dedication to the country. ## Honoring Major Dhyan Chand and Leaders' Call to Youth Expressing his respect on social media, Union Home Minister Amit Shah highlighted how Major Dhyan Chand elevated Indian hockey to global heights through his unmatched skill and exceptional dedication. Shah extended warm greetings to citizens on National Sports Day, noting that Dhyan Chand's spirit continues to inspire millions. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju also addressed young sports enthusiasts, calling upon them to internalize the values of hard work and integrity that Dhyan Chand embodied. They stressed that adopting such a mindset is essential for India to achieve sustained excellence in global competitions. ## Olympic Preparation and Grassroots Talent Identification To enhance India's performance in upcoming global events, particularly the Olympic Games, a systematic push is underway to expand the nation's athletic talent pool. Official initiatives focus on rapid and comprehensive talent identification across various states and rural pockets. The objective is to identify raw athletic talent early and provide young prospects with modern sports infrastructure, scientific coaching, and structured financial support. By establishing a robust pipeline from the grassroots to the national elite level, sports administrators aim to build a strong cohort capable of competing for podium finishes at the highest international levels. ## Rising Sports Talent and Regional Breakthroughs The changing landscape of Indian sports is reflected in recent performances across different disciplines. Young cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi captured widespread attention with a sensational 19-ball innings, earning praise from Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who lauded the youngster's remarkable talent. Simultaneously, grassroots development in women's sports achieved a significant milestone as six young female players from Jharkhand earned selection into the Indian Women's U-18 Hockey team for the upcoming Asia Cup in Japan. These successes demonstrate how targeted regional support and training programs are yielding tangible results on the international stage. ## Public Reaction The public response on social media was marked by enthusiasm and widespread veneration for Major Dhyan Chand's iconic career. Countless sports enthusiasts posted messages celebrating his hockey artistry and expressing hope for the future of Indian athletics. Alongside the tributes, online discussions also touched upon broader policy issues, including youth development programs, selection criteria, and the overall management of sports infrastructure in the country. > ## What this means for you National Sports Day celebrations and expanded talent identification programs will have a direct positive impact on young athletes and India's sports ecosystem. - **Opportunities for Young Athletes:** Budding talent from rural and semi-urban areas will gain early access to structured scouting and professional coaching. This will help nurture promising sports talent for elite global competitions. - **Infrastructure Enhancement:** Increased policy focus will accelerate the development of modern sports academies and training facilities in various states. Athletes will benefit from improved equipment, scientific training, and better logistical support. - **Boost for Women's Sports:** The selection of regional athletes, such as six girls from Jharkhand for the Asian stage, sets a strong precedent for funding and encouraging female sports talent nationwide. More young women will find viable pathways to professional sports careers. - **Improved Olympic Prospects:** Early talent identification and sustained backing will strengthen India's medal prospects at future Olympic events. The country will build a deeper pool of world-class competitors across multiple sporting disciplines. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. When and why is National Sports Day celebrated in India? National Sports Day is celebrated every year on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. ### 2. What message did Union Ministers share on Major Dhyan Chand's anniversary? Home Minister Amit Shah, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, and Kiren Rijiju appealed to the youth to draw inspiration from Dhyan Chand's discipline, hard work, and sportsmanship. ### 3. What steps are being taken to prepare Indian athletes for the Olympics? The government is conducting rapid and widespread talent identification drives to build a strong athletic base for future Olympic Games. ### 4. What achievement did women hockey players from Jharkhand reach? Six female players from Jharkhand were selected for the Indian Women's U-18 Hockey team competing in the Asia Cup in Japan. ### 5. Which performance by Vaibhav Suryavanshi received special praise? Vaibhav Suryavanshi's explosive 19-ball inning earned widespread acclaim, including praise from MP Shashi Tharoor. ## Leader Profile: Amit Shah - **Role:** Union Home Minister - **Born:** 22 October 1964, Mumbai, Maharashtra - **Party:** Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - **Education:** BSc in Biochemistry India's Home Minister since 2019 and former BJP National President (2014–20), widely regarded as the party's chief strategist. ### Political Career & Achievements - BJP National President (2014–2020) - Union Home Minister (since 2019) - Union Minister of Cooperation (since 2021) - Member of Parliament, Gandhinagar - Led the 2019 reorganisation of Jammu & Kashmir ### Quick Facts - Described as one of the BJP’s most successful party presidents. - First met Narendra Modi in 1982 through RSS circles in Gujarat. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._