India Marks National Sports Day with Major Dhyan Chand Tribute, PM Modi Highlights Sports Development

India marked National Sports Day on August 29, commemorating the 120th birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, with events including the unveiling of a state-of-the-art Mondo track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, participating virtually, praised Dhyan Chand's contributions and reaffirmed the government's commitment to developing India as a global sporting hub through infrastructure and talent development. The 2025 theme, "Sport to Promote Peaceful and Inclusive Societies," highlights sports' role in fostering unity and harmony across diverse communities. Several notable sports universities in India were spotlighted as key institutions for nurturing athletic talent, offering specialized courses in physical education and sports sciences. An evaluation of India's major sports federations revealed mixed performances, with some facing administrative challenges while others demonstrated strong progress and success in recent competitions. National Sports Day thus served both as a celebration of India's sporting heritage and a call to enhance governance and participation in sports nationwide.