PM, Sports minister pay tribute to hockey legend Dhyan Chand

Dhyan Chand

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary, which is being celebrated every year as National Sports Day.

"Our tributes to legendary Major Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day. His determination and dedication towards sports continues to inspire," Modi tweeted.

"We salute all our sportsmen and women, who have been enhancing the pride of the tricolour by their exemplary performance on the field," Modi said.

The prime minister also congratulated sportspersons who would be honoured with the various National Sports Awards Friday and said: "India is proud of them".

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Friday paid rich tributes to Major Dhyan Chand on his 109th birth anniversary and hoped the new generation could take some inspiration from the legendary hockey player.

"Dhyan Chand is a hockey wizard who has scored more than thousand goals during his glittering career. He also helped India win three Olympics," Sonowal said.

The sports minister also used the occasion to question India's performance in world hockey.

"The best thing that we can do on his birthday is some soul searching that why a country like India despite having 100 synthetic surfaces can't do well in world hockey."

"Compare this to a small country like belgium which has just 16 surfaces and have done extremely well to come up in world rankings," Sonowal added.

Born Aug 29, 1905, Major Dhyan Chand is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players the world has seen till date. He is known as 'The Wizard' because of the way he controlled the ball.

He won three Olympic Gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.