The National Sports Day is celebrated on different dates in different countries to honor the sports traditions and national sports teams.
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Many people think that National Sports Day is celebrated to promote the national game of that country. In reality, almost all the countries that celebrate this event, aim to promote the better health and fitness of their population.
The nations do promote their national games, but overall, they put emphasis on including sports in day-to-day life. It is regardless of what age group one belongs to or what game one chooses to make a part of life. It can be any sport like kabaddi, basketball, marathon, or hockey.
It also can be any activity that adds to your health such as dancing, exercising, or practicing yoga and meditation.
However, the popular ways of celebrating the event remain as follows.
- Some revere those legends in sports for their unforgettable contributions who made their country proud of their achievements.
- Some observe this day to promote the benefits of sports in our lives.
- Others see this day as an opportunity to motivate people to participate in this field for better health and fitness.
When is National Sports Day Celebrated?
National Sports Day is an annually celebrated event that is observed every year on different dates in various nations.
The Legend behind the National Sports Day
Where nations celebrate this day, majorly, to promote health and fitness, India also marks this day to honor the legendary sportsman Major Dhyan Chand Singh.
In India, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand Singh is celebrated as National Sports Day, which falls on 29 August.
Celebrating the extraordinary achievements of a legendary figure motivates the youth and people through their biography. Their efforts, hard work, and approach towards the failures and adverse conditions inspire in various aspects of life.
About Major Dhyan Chand Singh
- The hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh had won gold medals for India in Olympics in years: 1928, 1932, and 1936.
- He was not the champion of only his era in hockey; he is indeed untouched by any player till today. His name reached those pinnacles of glory in hockey, which no one other than him could ever reach.
- As per his autobiography, he had scored 570 goals from 1926 to 1949, the active years of his career.
- Other than the celebration of National Sports Day on his birthday (Birthdate: 29 August 1905), his most noted memorials include his picture on the stamp and the Major Dhyan Chand Award. This award is considered to be the highest award in India in sports or games for lifetime achievement.
Preparations and Celebrations
The preparations begin a week before by the organizations and the communities. The participants start their practices even before. From cultural and traditional programs to motivating modern games, every effort is included to attract and raise awareness.
People participate as per their skills to inspire others. Choreographers, dance performers, singers, poets, and all other professionals try to arouse the interest of others in sports through their concepts, dancing, singing, or write-ups.
From Prime-minister or President to top sportspersons and youth to elders, they all exchange greetings of the day through meetings or social platforms. They remember and appreciate the legendary personalities who marked their great contributions.
India
In India, people honor and pay tributes to the legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh for his unforgettable performances. Many campaigns and activities are also being introduced to sensitize people.
Iran
In Iran, where October 17 is named Physical Education and Sports Day, the entire week from October 17 to October 23 is known as Physical Education and Sports Week.
The importance of sports and exercise is not only emphasized locally or during such events; it is also highlighted in the constitution in article III.
The prime motto behind this day and observed events are to present the need for exercise for the citizens and the society.
Malaysia
Malaysia observes the National Sports Day as a national holiday with the goal of appealing to the nation for living a healthy lifestyle.
Japan
Japan observes the national holiday on its Health and Sports Day.
Qatar
Alike other nations, Qatar also promotes this day for promoting a healthy lifestyle.
History
India celebrated its first National Sports Day on 29 August 2012.
In Malaysia, the first National Sports Day was celebrated in 2015.
Japan started to celebrate Health and Sports Day since the second arrival of the Summer Olympics held on 10 October 1966. Since 2000, Japan has been observing the day on the second arrival of Monday in October month.
In Qatar, 2012 was the year that witnessed the National Sports Day for the first time in history.
Significance
Technological advancement is reaching new heights every day. This coin has two sides.
- One side makes our lives quick and easier.
- The other side makes us lazy and dependent.
Technology has made us too busy and ignorant towards our health. Surprisingly, the same technology tells us that we have walked lesser than targetted steps in a day.
The drastic change in our lifestyle has mounted the need for the events like National Sports Day which inspire us to draw some time for our own health and well-being.
Sports also add joy and entertainment to life and are vital for even mental health.
Such events not only bring light to the importance of sports, but also awareness of the significance of exercise, yoga, and meditation.
They also suggest the ideas of a healthy lifestyle, such as:
- We can take the upstairs instead of a lift for reaching to the upper floor. Using the upstairs is more effective than walking the miles.
- We can give weight to homemade food instead of fast food for weight management.
- Instead of mobile games, we can choose to play outdoor games.
- We can do yoga or practice the simple pranayam steps while watching the Tv.
- When we know that a phone call of a close relative or friend is going to take half an hour or more, we can reach the terrace to walk while talking.
- During times of failure and stress, we can choose a neighbor for being the playing-partner to perk up the mood. A game can give many life lessons.
Such ideas and benefits of sports are many and their impact is enormous. The significance of the National Sports Day lies in many positive results that can be obtained by a simple motivation of adding sports the daily life.
