Major Dhyan Chand, the legend known as the Magician of Indian Hockey, was born on August 29, 1905 in Prayagraj (formerly Allahabad). Dhyan Chand was the player who won three gold medals for India in the Olympics. August 29, Major Dhyan Chand's birth anniversary is celebrated as National Sports Day in India. An award is also given in his name in the field of sports, called 'Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award'. Earlier this Khel Ratna was known as 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award'. Dhyan Chand has made a huge contribution to Indian sports. But do you know how their hockey got started? Dhyan Chand's hockey, famous for his amazing art of scoring goals, started with the army.
The story behind the name Dhyan Chand
Dhyan Chand joined the Indian Army as a soldier at the age of 16. With this he started playing hockey. Dhyan Singh used to practice hockey at night in the light of the moon, after which he was called Chand and later his name was Dhyan Chand. From 1922 to 1926, Dhyan Chand attracted everyone by playing regimental matches for Sena's Turu. After this performance, Dhyan Chand was selected in the Army team to tour New Zealand. The tour to New Zealand saw a very good performance from the team. Indian Army team won 18 matches, drew 2 and lost only one match. Dhyan Chand got more recognition after this tour. In this way slowly his journey began to progress.
Hitler also became Dhyan Chand's fan
India defeated Germany 8-1 in the hockey final at the 1936 Olympics. Hitler could not bear this defeat of Germany and left the stadium. Dhyan Chand alone scored three goals in this match. Seeing Dhyan Chand's brilliant performance, Hitler asked him after the match, what do you do apart from hockey? Dhyan Chand said, I am an Indian soldier. After this Hitler offered him to join the German army, which Dhyan Chand refused. Major Dhyan Chand represented India in the Olympics in the years 1928, 1932 and 1936, with India winning the Olympic gold all three times.
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