Shillong, Aug 29: Joining the rest of the country, Meghalaya on Monday celebrated the National Sports Day at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong.
The celebration was attended by Chief Secretary DP Wahlang as chief guest in the presence of Sports Director WAM Booth, Matsiewdor War and other senior officials.
Several athletes of the state attended the event and were felicitated with cash prizes for representing the state at international and national events.
Speaking at the event, Wahlang lauded the athletes and also encouraged them to try to urge other youth to join sports.
He also urged them to prepare and work hard for the upcoming North East Olympics Games that will be held next month.
Earlier in the day, the office of the District Sports Officer, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in collaboration with the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District conducting a “National Sports Day 5K Run” which commenced from J.N Stadium main gate at 6.30 A.M. as part of a series of programmes to mark the day.
Invitations were also sent to various schools in the district for the Inter School Mawpoin & Tug of war Competition at J.N Stadium, Polo Shillong on Monday along with Recreational Fun & Games for Children at all Football Grass Root Centre’s of East Khasi Hills District on August 27, 2022.
The game of Mawpoin is particularly chosen by the District because it is one of the games that teaches players to work together as a team with discipline and to think carefully while sharply observing the opponents for success. Considering the positive impacts of this game the government has included Mawpoin under the Sports Department of Meghalaya.
About National Sports Day
The National Sports Day or The Rashtriya Khel Divas is observed annually on the 29th of August. This day commemorates the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the hockey wizard of the country, who was born on 29th August 1905. The National Sports Day was first observed in the year 2012.
The Khel Ratna award also called the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award which was previously known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award is the highest sporting award in India that is presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to glorify the honour of Major Dhyan Chand who worked passionately towards bringing laurels to our country.
National Sports Day is also celebrated to create awareness about the importance of sports and the benefits of being physically active and at the same time to honour the contributions of the various sports champions of the country.
