NEW DELHI — On the 121st birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, alongside Union Minister of Law and Justice Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, led the National Sports Day celebrations at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi.
The flagship event centered on the nationwide ‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ initiative, urging citizens—especially youth—to dedicate at least one hour daily to physical activity and sports to bolster the Fit India Movement.
Key Highlights of the Event & Sports Initiatives
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Floral Tributes & Nationwide Call: The Ministers commenced the event by paying floral tributes at the statue of Major Dhyan Chand, followed by a call from Dr. Mandaviya for citizens to integrate sports into their daily lives to help build a healthy and prosperous nation.
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‘Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein’ Drive: Organized to promote grassroot fitness, the initiative saw participation from lakhs of youth engaging in outdoor sports across towns and communities nationwide.
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Friendly Matches & Engagement: The venue hosted multi-sport activities including tug-of-war, football, and a short-format cricket tournament featuring four teams: Ministry XI, SAI XI, Media XI, and Influencers XI.
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Ministerial Cricket Victory: The Ministry XI—captained by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and featuring Department of Sports Secretary Shri Hari Ranjan Rao alongside ministry officials—secured a victory over Media XI in the opening cricket match.
