Rich tributes paid to hockey legend Dhyan Chand

New Delhi, Aug 29 : Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr M.S. Gill today paid homage to Indian hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand by offering a floral tribute at his statute at New Delhi's National Stadium on the occasion of his 103rd birth anniversary.

Other hockey Olympians, eminent sportspersons and officials of the Sports Ministry and the Sports Authority of India were also present on the occasion.

The day is also celebrated as National Sports Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Gill called upon the sportspersons to emulate Dhyan Chand in their respective games.

He also exhorted sports persons and administrators to plan well in advance and strive hard for getting more medals in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi and the London Olympics.

With a view to galvanising sportspersons and sports administrators in this direction, the Sports Ministry has coined a new slogan "Chalo India London Chalein".

For imparting focused coaching and training to the potential sports persons in all games, the government has recently approved the disbursement of Rs 678 crore over the next three years. For the betterment of eminent sportspersons, the Government has also doubled their pensionary benefits," he said.

Prominent hockey Olympians, Nandy Singh, Zafar Iqbal and Ajit Pal Singh recalled Major Dhyan Chand's attributes and some interesting facets of his 'on the field' personality.

ANI