National Sports Day 2025: Dhyan Chand tribute and Mondo Track
Why in the news
India is marking National Sports Day on 29 August 2025 in honour of Major Dhyan Chand. The day also saw the inauguration of India’s first Mondo Track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
Key facts
- Date: 29 August, Dhyan Chand’s birth anniversary; he was born in 1905 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj).
- 2025 theme: one hour of play every day, under the Fit India Mission.
- Events: 29 to 31 August, led by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
- Mondo Track: India is the 25th country with this premium surface, preparing venues for the World Para-Athletics Championships.
| Dhyan Chand | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Hockey Wizard |
| Olympic golds | 1928, 1932, 1936 |
| Padma Bhushan | 1956 |
| Khel Ratna renamed after him | 2021 |
About the observance
The government designated 29 August as National Sports Day in 2012, so 2025 is the 14th observance, as reported.
Exam angle
- Dhyan Chand: three Olympic golds, Padma Bhushan 1956.
- India is the 25th country with a Mondo Track.