We talk about Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni but long back in the 1930s India was famous for Major Dhyan Chand who was and is still regarded as one of the finest sportsmen the country has ever produced in the world of sports.
Well, Dhyan Chand who was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad is popularly known as “Magician of the game of Hockey” among his fans.
Remembering hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birthday, which is celebrated as #NationalSportsDay. Congratulations to the medal winners in the #AsianGames2018 and best wishes to the other competing athletes. pic.twitter.com/4u4DmoiqgS
— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 29, 2018
Though Chand had no serious inclination towards sports in the initial days, he has turned out to be one of the exceptional hockey players. Moreover, he has even scored more than 400 goals during his international career, which makes him one of the highest goal scorer in the history of hockey.
Greetings to all sports enthusiasts on National Sports Day. Tributes to the phenomenal hockey player, Major Dhyan Chand Ji on his birth anniversary.
I urge people to give priority to sports and fitness related activities, which will contribute towards a healthier India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2018
Therefore, on the occasion of Dhyan Chand’s 113th birth anniversary, let’s check out Dhyan Chand’s 5 interesting facts which makes him the hockey wizard:
1. Dhyan Chand joined the British Indian Army as a Sepoy at the age of 16 years. well, it was the same time when he started playing hockey.
2. Very few people know that Chand’s real name was Dhyan Singh. Moreover, he was given the name – Dhyan Chand by his friends as he used to practice during the late night hours under the moon’s light (referred as Chand in Hindi).
3. Further, world-famous dictator – Adolf Hitler was so impressed with Dhyan Chand’s game that he even offered him German citizenship and the rank of Colonel in his army to which he clearly refused.
4. Major Dhyan Chand too helped India in winning 3 Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932 and 1936). While Government of India awarded him the 3rd highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 1956. His birthday August 29, which is celebrated as Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary is observed as National Sports Day all over the country. Well, it’s a proud moment for all of us.
5. Also, the Government of India awarded him the 3rd highest civilian honour of Padma Bhushan in 1956. While his birthday August 29, 2018, is celebrated as the National Sports Day across the country.
6. Moreover, Dhyan Chand’s autobiography, Goal!, was also published by Sport & Pastime, Madras in 1952.
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