Major Dhyan Chand, who is also popularly known as ‘Magician of Hockey’, was born on 29 August 1905 in Allahabad. He led the Indian hockey team to golden glory in Olympics three times.

To commemorate his birth anniversary, the Government of India decided to honour his birthday as the National Sports Day.

Thus each year on 29 August, the President of India gives out sports-related awards, including Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, to honour athletes and coaches who have made the nation proud with their service.

Here are some Twitter reactions:

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

Today, we commemorate Major Dhyan Chand’s Birth Anniversary as #NationalSportsDay. Let us give our tributes to one of India’s greatest sports icons by inculcating sports as part of our lifestyle. pic.twitter.com/fOcMqHRejZ

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 29, 2018

We remember Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. Marked as #NationalSportsDay. We have always celebrated human excellence and the Congress formulated the National sports Policy 3 decades ago which guide sports administration till date. pic.twitter.com/K90JzNqvP4

— Congress (@INCIndia) August 29, 2018

On National Sports Day, I pay my tributes to the wizard of Hockey, Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary & call upon people to make sports a part of their daily routine. We must encourage & promote sporting culture in country, especially from school level. #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/goztTdi45l

— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) 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

Remembering hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birthday, which is celebrated as #NationalSportsDay. Congratulations to the medal winners in the #AsianGames2018 and best wishes to the other competing athletes. pic.twitter.com/4u4DmoiqgS

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) August 29, 2018

Tributes to the hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand on his birthday and greeting on #NationalSportsDay.

India’s performance at the #AsianGames2018 has been exemplary so far and serves as inspiration for a #FitIndia. Kudos to our champs!
We are proud of you! pic.twitter.com/7Tr3ITGfmy

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) August 29, 2018

Remembering the Legend Major Dhyan Chand. #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/pj5Hn7JhSV

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) August 29, 2018

On #NationalSportsDay we celebrate India’s Hockey Wizard, the sportsman who brought home India’s first Gold at the Olympic Games. #MajorDhyanChand was a star who took India to new heights in sports.

Make sports a part of your everyday life! pic.twitter.com/KzMibwvTJD

— Youth Congress (@IYC) 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

Whatever the Game maybe,
Be a Sport…
This #NationalSportsDay awaken the Sportsperson in YOU !!!

Our Humble tributes to #MajorDhyanChand Ji, the Wizard of Hockey on his Birth Anniversary today 💐 pic.twitter.com/6y72FCVdsq

— AICC Communications (@AICCMedia) August 29, 2018

Tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on #NationalSportsDay, commemorating the wizard’s life and his everlasting legacy in Indian hockey. As Odisha gets ready for #HWC2018, we remember how he earned an identity for the game in the country and abroad. pic.twitter.com/eFE2KK77hh

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) 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