New Delhi: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday urged citizens to dedicate at least one hour to sports and physical activity as India observed National Sports Day.
The occasion marked the 121st birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. A special sporting event was organised at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium at India Gate in New Delhi in the presence of Mandaviya and Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.
This year’s celebrations focused on the nationwide ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ initiative. The campaign encourages citizens, particularly young people, to spend at least one hour playing sports or engaging in physical activity.
The programme began with Mandaviya and Meghwal paying floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand by garlanding his statue. Hundreds of participants joined the celebrations from 8 am and took part in sporting and fitness activities.
Mandaviya said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the Fit India Movement and encouraging people to make sports part of their daily lives. He said lakhs of young people across the country had participated by coming out to play for an hour in streets and on playgrounds.
He also stressed that a fit population and healthy society were essential to building a prosperous nation. He urged people to spend one hour every week on the playing field and give greater attention to their health.
Meghwal extended National Sports Day greetings and highlighted the role of regular sports and physical activity in maintaining physical and mental well-being.
Recalling his own involvement in sports, Meghwal said he had played kabaddi and football and continued to play badminton almost every day. He described his personal motto as ‘morning music and evening play’ and said regular participation in sports helped people remain physically fit, healthy and free from mental stress.
Meghwal also said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to dedicate one hour to sports on National Sports Day was important for the country. He linked the initiative with the ‘Hum Fit Toh India Fit’ campaign and said it could contribute to the goal of building a developed nation.
The celebrations featured cricket, football and tug of war to promote sports participation, teamwork and an active lifestyle.
A cricket competition was organised between four teams – Ministry XI, SAI XI, Media XI and Influencers XI. Ministry XI, led by Mandaviya and comprising Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao and other ministry officials, secured a convincing victory over Media XI in the opening match.
The Influencers XI included prominent social media influencers and Fit India Ambassadors.
The National Sports Day celebrations reaffirmed the government’s focus on promoting sports, fitness and active living across the country while honouring the enduring legacy of Major Dhyan Chand.
