National Sports Day 2019 is being observed today, 29 August, to remember hockey player Dhyan Chand. Check all Government schemes & initiatives to promote sports in India. Also, know why India celebrates National Sports Day on 29 August every year.
National Sports Day 2019: India celebrates the Day today, 29 August, to mark the birth anniversary of the legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand, who was born on August 29, 1905. The National Sports Day is also known as the Rashtriya Khel Divas. On this Day, President Ram Nath Kovind confers the National Sports Awards, National Adventure Awards, Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna, Dronacharya Award and Dhyanchand Award to recognise the exceptional achievements of Indian sportspersons. This year’s list of National Sports Award winners includes prominent names like Ravindra Jadeja, Deepa Malik, Bajrang Punia and many others.
The National Sports Day is observed every year to spread awareness about the importance of sports and games in the life of every individual. The Day remembers the national sports personality Dhyan Chand who was one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. Famously known as “The Wizard”, he displayed superb ball control and extraordinary goal-scoring feats. He won three Olympic gold medals in Hockey field in the years 1928, 1932, and 1936. In his Sports career spanning over 22 years, he scored over 400 goals. He was conferred with the third-highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan in 1956. He was born in Allahabad on August 29, 1905.
IPS officer Aparna Kumar to be conferred Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award2018
When was 29 August proclaimed as National Sports Day?
The Union Government proclaimed 29 August as the country’s National Sports Day in 2012 to commemorate Major Dhyan Chand and his achievements in the field of sports.
Schemes launched by Narendra Modi Government to promote sports in India
The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports plays a major role in promoting sports in India. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) that works under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is responsible for the promotion of Sports and Games in the country. Authority formulates and implements a series of reforms and schemes to boost Sports development. The Government considers that people should involve sports and fitness-related activities in their daily routine for a better and healthier life. Even PM Narendra
Modi has on numerous occasions urged people to give priority to sports and games in their everyday life.
Sports play an important role in everyone’s life, be it athletes, sportspersons, students, youth or adults. It is essential for physical as well as mental development. Considering the importance of sports, the Government has launched several schemes and initiatives in the field of sports and games. Have a look at some of the schemes:
Fit India Movement
The scheme will be launched on 29 August on the occasion of National Sports Day 2019 by Prime Minister Modi himself at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
Khelo India Scheme
The Khelo India Scheme was launched in 2016 after the merger of three schemes – Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA), Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme (USIS) and National Sports Talent Search Scheme (NSTSS). The scheme aims to boost mass participation of youth in annual sports games and competitions. Khelo India (National Programme for Development of Sports Scheme) aims to achieve the twin objectives of mass participation and promotion of excellence in sports. The scheme strives to promote “Sports for All” as well as “Sports for Excellence”. The scheme was revamped in the year 2017 with an aim to mainstream sports as a tool for individual and community development, economic development and national development.
Sports Talent Search Portal
Vice President M.Venkaiah Naidu in August 2017 launched the Sports Talent Search Portal to spot the best talent among the youth of India. The portal allows young people to upload their achievements. Applicants who get shortlisted are then called for trials and the qualified candidates then get to take part in the schemes of the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
National Sports Development Fund
The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) was formed in November 1998 by the then Government to promote sports and games in India. The Fund was established under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890 to administer the funds for sports activities, tournaments, competitions, infrastructure and training of the sportspersons. The Union Sports Ministry has recently granted Rs 35 crore from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) to Sports Authority of India (SAI) for the training of athletes taking part in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
High-level committee to address grievances of women sportspersons
In 2017 on the occasion of International Women Day (8 March), the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on constituted a committee under the chairmanship of AS &
FA to address and resolve the complaints and grievances of women sportsperson. The committee is also comprised of athletes, advocate, a senior officer of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and a sports journalist. All the members of the Committee are women.
Empowered Steering Committee on Sports
The Empowered Steering Committee (ESC) was constituted in January 2017 on the recommendations of the Olympic Task Force. The Committee is responsible for preparing a comprehensive action plan for effective participation of Indian players in the Olympic Games of 2020 (Tokyo), 2024 (Paris) and 2028 (Los Angeles).
Schemes of Sports Authority of India (SAI)
SAI also runs several schemes for promoting sports at junior and senior levels. The schemes being implemented by the Sports Authority are National Sports Academy (NSA) Scheme, Centre of Excellence Scheme, National Sports Talent Contest Scheme (NSTC), Army Boys Sports Company Scheme, Special Area Games Scheme, and COME and PLAY Scheme. Under the COME and PLAY Scheme, local people are encouraged to play sports and games at the SAI sports centres and trained by SAI Coaches.
National Sports Awards Scheme
Every year, the Government acknowledges and honours sports personalities with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Awards, Dhyanchand Awards, and Dronacharya Awards for their achievements and contributions as sportspersons and coaches in the field of sports.
Sports & Games for Persons with Disabilities Scheme
Under this scheme, the differently-abled sportspersons are trained in their field for conducting sports competitions and assisting schools and institutes having differently-abled sportspersons.
Promotion of sports amongst School Students under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme
The Department of School Education and Literacy in April 2018 launched an Integrated Scheme for School Education – Samagra Shiksha after merging Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). Under this new scheme, Sports and Physical Education component is included to provide funds for sports equipment of indoor and outdoor games in all government schools. The scheme aims for the holistic development of children by encouraging their active involvement in Sports, Physical activities, Yoga, and Co-curricular activities.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme
The Sports Ministry launched the ‘Target Olympic Podium (TOP)’ Scheme in May 2015 under the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) to support the potential medal prospects for Olympic Games of 2016 and 2020. The main focus is given to Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Archery, Wrestling and Shooting sports.
