Happy 116th birthday to the legendary Olympian and one of the greatest field hockey player in the history, Major Dhyan Chand

Major Dhyan Chand has his 116th birthday on August 29 which is also celebrated as National Sports Day annually. The Indian greatest field hockey player has achieved so many big titles in his life.

August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India in memory of the greatest ever field hockey player and Olympian, Major Dhyan Chand. This Sunday, August 29th marks Major Dhyan Chand’s 116th birthday.

India is remembering legendary Olympian and greatest ever field hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand on his 116th birthday on Sunday. He was a true legend. He has so many titles to his name, including three Olympic gold medals in 1928 Amsterdam, 1932 Los Angeles, and 1936 Berlin respectively. The son of the British Indian Army was born in Allahabad In a Rajput family. He was the centre-forward player for the British Indian Hockey Team.

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Legend Dhyan Chand played from 1926 to 1949 in the international games. According to his autobiography by Goal, the legendary field hockey player scored 570 goals in 185 matches. In the Amsterdam Olympics games, Chand won his first Olympic gold medal. He was the top scorer of the tournament in Amsterdam, with 14 goals in 5 matches. It was also the first gold medal in Olympics for the Indian team. After the tournament, many people started calling Major Dhyan Chand the ‘magician of hockey.’

India’s home minister Amit Shah wished Chand on his 116th birth anniversary on his Twitter account on Sunday morning.

“With his dedication and achievements, Major Dhyan Chand gave Indian Hockey a new identity. His passion and determination to bring glory to India, despite facing a lack of basic resources, shall always inspire us,” a rough translation of Amit Shah’s tweet as he wrote it in Hindi.

One of the sports awards named Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award was being renamed by Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on August 6th this year. The award is being renamed as ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in memory of the Legendary Olympian and one of the best hockey players in history, Major Dhyan Chand.