National Sports Day 2025, Date, Theme, Significance

National Sports Day 2025 is being celebrated all across the country on August 29, 2025, with the ‘Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main' campaign. The day is observed to commemorate and honor the legacy of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. The day is also celebrated to recognize the importance of physical fitness and sports in our daily lives.

National Sports Day 2025 will be celebrated by the Government of India by presenting the National Sports Awards 2025. These awards include the following: Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Dhyan Chand Award.

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

National Sports Day 2025 Overview

The National Sports Day is celebrated all over India and signifies the importance of sports in our daily lives. The Government of India has celebrated this day by introducing major sports schemes in the past few years, like the Khelo India Games, etc. Candidates can check the table below to get an overview of the National Sports Day 2025:

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

National Sports Day History 

Major Dhyan Chand’s contribution and legacy were celebrated as the National Sports Day for the first time in 2012. Dhyan Chand was known as the ‘Hockey Wizard’ who enabled India to win three consecutive gold medals in the field hockey event. His mastery of the hockey stick in hand and control over the ball is unmatched to date. 

The Government of India, in 2012, decided to celebrate this great man’s legacy and the sports culture in India as the National Sports Day. It is dedicated to the promotion of sports, recognition, and welfare of talented sportspersons from across the country.

National Sports Day 2025 Theme 

The theme for National Sports Day 2025 has not been officially announced yet. However, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is celebrating this occasion with a nation-wide movement with the theme 'Ek Ghanta, Khel ke Maidan Main' starting 29 August, the National Sports Day, to August 31st.

The National Sports Day promotes sports culture and a healthy lifestyle across India. It honors the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand and serves as a day to honor the sportspersons of India whose achievements have made the nation proud.

Major Dhyan Chand Biography

Major Dhyan Chand, or popularly known as the ‘Hockey Wizard of India’, was born on August 29, 1905, in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players in the world. While serving the British army, he was nicknamed Dhyan Chand, as he used to practice hockey at late-night hours under the moonlight.

• Dhyan Chand’s exceptional stick control, goal-scoring ability, and leadership qualities made him a true hockey wizard.

• Over his long career, he scored 400 international goals in 185 matches, which still remains unmatched.

• The Indian team, during Dhyan Chand’s career, gained three successive gold medals in hockey between 1928-1936.

• In recognition of his contribution to hockey, the Government of India had awarded him the Padma Bhusan in 1956.

Enroll Now for UPSC Online Course

National Sports Awards 2025

The National Sports Awards are presented on the occasion of National Sports Day by the Government of India. The President of India honors outstanding athletes, sportspersons, and coaches with prestigious awards at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. A committee appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports evaluates all the nominations and recommends the recipients every year. The following awards are presented on National Sports Day:

National Sports Day 2025 Significance

The National Sports Day 2025 will be the occasion to celebrate the 120th birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. The significance of celebrating National Sports Day is being aligned with India’s aim of becoming a global sporting power by 2047. The significance of this day can be summarized as follows:

• The day honors the legacy of Major Dhyan Chand, who enabled India to win three successive Olympic gold medals between 1928-1936.

• National Sports Day celebrations are now being aligned with the Fit India Mission and the motto “Ek Ghanta Khel ke Maidan me”. 

• The day encourages citizens across the country to identify the significance of sports and fitness in our everyday lives. It is a key step towards achieving the national vision of sporting excellence.