K. ARUMUGAM
There has been, occasional but vocal, demand for declaring Major Dhyan Chand’s birthday as National Sports Day in India for long. Most of them strengthened after his death in 1979. In the 80s and 90s it has been a routine to demand National Sports Day whenever some sporting success or flop occurred.
Some individuals from sport and political fraternity almost made it a point to celebrate Dhyan Chand’s birthday as National Sports Day. One such instant belonged to Viswanath Sharma, Member of Parliament from Jhansi, where Dhyan Chand lived most part of his life. The politician used to convene like-minded people to his residence in Delhi on every birthday of ‘his Dada’. His and his band of supporters’ demand included two 1. Erecting a statue for Dhyan Chand and 2. Declaring ‘Dada’s birthday as National Sports Day.
Among the journalists the credit for vociferous support emanated from Sriman, then Sports Editor, Times of India.
But the credit to seeing it in reality should go to former Prime Minister Narashimha Rao, who on 29th 1995, at National stadium, New Delhi declared it to be.
Then Prime Minister of India Narasimha Rao after announcing National Sports Day amidst Olympians, in front of Dhyan Chand statue. Venue: Then known as National Stadium.
On that day, all former Olympic medallists were invited for an exhibition match. 1952 Olympian M Rajagopal down to 1980 Olympic medallists took part. It was for the first time such a Star gathering w of such a scale was witnessed.
What turned out sweeter thereafter was the decision that all the sports awards, Arjuna, Dronocharya, etc will be presented on that day. Till then, the awards used to be present at the convenient date that suits the office of President of India.
Interestingly, on the same occasion some other decisions were also taken. These include free rail travel o air conditioned second class trains for Arjuna and other sports awardees, medal winners of Asiad and Olympics.
Subsequently, an award after the legend’s name was announced for the Lifetime Achievement to be presented to sportspersons.
Later when Ms Uma Bharti was the Union Sports Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, she declared the National Stadium to be named as Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.
Later in 2022, even the coveted Rajiv Gandhi Kehel Ratna Award has been rechristened as Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.
Only award that eludes the legend is Bharat Ratna!
Note: This writer takes pride that his article on Dhyan Chand in his book Great Indian Olympians has been included in the 11th Standard Text Book.