Draw inspiration from Major Dhyan Chand’s life: Speaker to sportspersons

The National Sports Day was celebrated today at Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Kailash Colony here on the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan chaired the function. “Sports competitions are not just about winning or losing, but also about learning hard work and discipline. Sports build confidence and inner strength. The youth must dedicate at least one hour daily to their favourite sport and take inspiration from hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand,” he emphasised.

Recalling Major Dhyan Chand’s achievements that brought glory to India, the Speaker said Haryana had carry forwarded this legacy through athletes like Sakshi Malik, Neeraj Chopra, Vinesh Phogat, and Bajrang Punia, who have made the state and nation proud.

Appealing to the youth to stay away from drugs, Kalyan said, “Through sports, this menace can be overcome. Collective hard work will shape India’s future as a developed nation by 2047.”

He also highlighted recent initiatives, including the approval of a state song in the Assembly and the launch of a cycle rally against drug abuse.

Speaking to the media, Kalyan expressed gratitude for the modern facilities at Kailash stadium, crediting former CM Manohar Lal and affirming that CM Nayab Singh Saini is taking forward sports-related initiatives with all seriousness. The Speaker also paid tribute to Major Dhyan Chand.

Minister: Aim to increase number of sports to 3K

Karnal: Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam said the state government was committed to nurturing rural talent in the field of sports and providing them with every possible facility to excel at national and international levels.

He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, several schemes were being implemented to support athletes, with the goal of increasing the number of sports nurseries in the state to 3,000 in order to identify talent from every village.

Gautam was addressing a gathering on National Sports Day at the Handball Sports Nursery at Barota village in the district. Arjuna awardee Babita Phogat was the guest of honour. The two paid floral tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and planted saplings on the school premises. “Today, our athletes, too, are making India proud across the world and the government is determined to provide them with the right infrastructure, training and incentives,” said the Sports Minister.

Highlighting Haryana’s sports achievements, Gautam said although the state has only 2 per cent of India’s population, it continues to raise the country’s flag at the global stage. Speaking on the occasion, Babita Phogat said, “Sports are not just a path to physical fitness, but also a balm for the mind. Just as education is important, so is sports—these are the two wheels of same cart. If one gets weakened, life cannot move forward smoothly.” She encouraged students to pursue both studies and sports with equal dedication for a balanced and successful life.