TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 29, 2024: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai has extended his greetings to the people of Chhattisgarh, sports enthusiasts, and athletes on the occasion of National Sports Day, celebrated on 29 August. This day commemorates the birthday of Major Dhyanchand, the legendary hockey player renowned for his exceptional skills and three Olympic gold medals, whose contributions continue to inspire the nation.
In his message, Chief Minister Sai emphasized the significance of sports in developing leadership, discipline, and dedication—qualities that contribute to success in all aspects of life. He highlighted the state’s commitment to fostering sports talent through the establishment of international-level sports infrastructure and the Sports Development Authority aimed at promoting athletes on both national and international stages.
In conjunction with National Sports Day, the Chief Minister will also host the State Sports Decoration Ceremony at the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur today. This event will honor the exceptional athletes of Chhattisgarh, recognizing their achievements from the award years 2021-22 and 2022-23.
The ceremony will feature the presentation of various awards and prize money totaling Rs 1 crore 36 lakh 33 thousand. This includes Rs 76 lakh for 97 awardees and Rs 60.33 lakh allocated to 502 medal-winning players. Chief Minister Sai, along with Assembly Speaker Dr. Raman Singh and other dignitaries, will celebrate the accomplishments of athletes in categories such as the Shaheed Rajiv Pandey Award, Shaheed Kaushal Yadav Award, Veer Hanuman Singh Award, and Chief Minister’s Trophy, among others.
The dual celebrations underscore the state’s dedication to recognizing and nurturing sports talent while honoring the legacy of a sports icon.
