How did Union Sports Minister lead India's largest National Sports Day celebrations?

New Delhi, Aug 29 (NationPress) The most extensive National Sports Day celebrations ever held in India took place on Friday, with approximately 30 crore citizens from various States and Union Territories taking part in events honoring the 120th birth anniversary of hockey icon Major Dhyan Chand.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports as well as Labour & Employment, spearheaded the national event with a floral homage at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, later joining over 2,000 participants – including officials from the Sports Ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), National Sports Federations (NSFs), athletes, and coaches – in engaging activities at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The nationwide observance commenced with a pledge focused on fitness and wellbeing, echoing the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. From large-scale fitness initiatives in schools to community sports gatherings in villages and urban areas, the celebrations unfolded as what officials termed a “Jan Andolan of Sports,” encapsulated by the motto ‘Har Gali, Har Maidaan; Khele Saara Hindustan’.

Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and Members of Parliament participated in events across the nation. Among these leaders were Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru, and Arunachal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu in Itanagar. Notable MPs such as Sarbananda Sonowal, Anurag Singh Thakur, and Bhupender Yadav also took part.

In New Delhi, Dr. Mandaviya officially opened the country’s first MONDO Athletics Track at JLN Stadium, constructed in just four months by SAI’s engineering team. Paralympic champion Sumit Antil praised the track as ‘a new vision for excellence,’ while Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra described it as ‘a milestone moment for Bharat’s sports development.’ Mandaviya participated in an enthusiastic 400m demonstration run on the new track alongside para-athletes, Olympians, and officials.

Subsequently, a cricket match between the Ministers XI and Media XI added a fun element to the celebrations. “Sports have always been a vital part of our lives. A diverse array of sports has been highlighted in our history. I express my gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reviving this spirit through initiatives like the Targeted Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Khelo India, and Fit India,” he stated.

“With the Khelo Bharat Niti and the National Sports Governance Act established, Bharat is progressing towards Viksit Bharat 2047, aiming to rank among the top five nations in the Olympics. There is no better classroom than the sporting arena, and no greater educator than sports,” he added.

The festivities were inclusive and varied, featuring a 15-day program in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands that concluded with an underwater tribute to Major Dhyan Chand. Additionally, the 17th edition of Isha Gramotsavam – India’s largest rural sports festival – saw the participation of 5,000 teams and 50,000 players across seven States.

Messages flooded social media from athletes like Sachin Tendulkar, PV Sindhu, Mirabai Chanu, and Neeraj Chopra, alongside Bollywood stars such as Ayushmann Khurrana and Shilpa Shetty, making National Sports Day a trending topic.

The celebrations will extend over the next two days as part of a three-day Jan Andolan. On August 30, the focus will shift to sports debates and conclaves regarding the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, along with nationwide competitions in indigenous sports such as kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball, sack race, and tug of war.

The grand finale on August 31 will highlight Fit India Sundays on Cycle – a nationwide initiative promoting cycling as a lifestyle under the theme ‘Swadeshi Bharat’. Concurrently, a National Conclave on Sports Goods Manufacturing will commence in Delhi under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, with similar conclaves anticipated across States to bolster domestic sports production and exports.