The birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. The hockey legend is an inspiration for the current generation of players. He started his career in the pre-independence era and scored more than 400 international goals, the most by any player in the sport’s history. He led India to three Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936.
The Army Man is hailed as a ‘magician’ and ‘wizard’ by many. He used to wait for moonlight to practice as there were no floodlights in his time. His impact was such that German dictator Adolf Hitler offered him to play for the country along with German citizenship and colonel post.
Here’s how Twitterati including prominent personalities remembered him:
Remembering the hockey legend, Olympic gold medalist #MajorDhyanChand today . He was such an inspiration for young sportsmen in India, and an icon for millions who made sports a part of their lives! #NationalSportsDay
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 29, 2018
I’ve heard stories about #MajorDhyanChand practising Hockey under a moonlit sky as there were no floodlights in those days. He did what it took to fulfil his dream. That’s what I call commitment. Remembering him on his 113th birth anniversary #NationalSportsDay #SportPLAYINGIndia pic.twitter.com/O8aQc3UhEc
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 29, 2018
Remembering one of the finest sports star we ever had and we’ll ever have… A very happy birthday to the wizard of hockey, #MajorDhyanChand! pic.twitter.com/Kpbi3zqk43
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) August 29, 2018
Today being the birth anniversary of one of India’s greatest sportsman, #MajorDhyanChand is also marked as #NationalSportsDay. The best tribute would be to not just celebrate it for a day but make sports a way of life.
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) August 29, 2018
When you put on that jersey, the flag on the front is more important then the name on the back.
Remembering the hockey wizard #MajorDhyanChand on his 113th Birth Anniversary #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/gQ3dAxCN88— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 29, 2018
My tributes to #MajorDhyanChand on his birth anniversary & #NationalSportsDay! Sports is been my life since a very young age & I emphasise that everyone should make sports a part of their lives not just for health but it also imparts determinations, passion & hard work in you! pic.twitter.com/ADlJQ0x9NJ
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) August 29, 2018
Tributes to the Hockey Legend , #MajorDhyanChand Ji on his birth anniversary. My humble appeal to Hon’ble @PMOIndia @narendramodi ji for giving #BharatRatnaForDhyanChand. pic.twitter.com/s0AXVDyXOz
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) August 29, 2018
Remembering Major Dhyan Chand ‘The Wizard’ who sought India 3 Gold Medals in Hockey scoring over 400 goals. Who declined Hitler’s offer of German citizenship & rank of colonel for his loyalty towards India. Salutes!#NationalSportsDay#MajorDhyanChand pic.twitter.com/3Hb9McK5Mf
— Geetika Swami (@SwamiGeetika) August 29, 2018
Tributes To Wizard Of Hockey #MajorDhyanChand On His Birth Anniversary
3 Golds In Olympics
400+ Goals (Highest In History Of Hockey)
When India Defeated Germany In 1936 Olympics Final 8-1, Hitler Offered Him A Senior Post In German Army Which He Refused
#NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/SI1lFT3V0P— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) August 29, 2018
Sir Don Bradman once said, he scores goals the way we score runs. As we remember the legendary Major Dhyan Chand, my greetings to all from the sports fraternity on #NationalSportsDay. May we all inculcate some sport as a part of our life. pic.twitter.com/vUAwzn7CV6
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) August 29, 2018
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Dhyan Chand is often compared to legendary cricketer Sir Don Bradman for his achievements in the sport. Once, even the legend praised him saying, “he scores goals the way we score runs”.
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