Ranchi: Jharkhand will celebrate National Sports Day, observed every year on August 29 in memory of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, with a three-day program this year. The Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs announced that from August 29 to 31, sports competitions, fitness drives, and cultural programs will be organized across the state and districts.
Events in Ranchi and other districts will include hockey, football, archery, athletics, badminton, and swimming. Football and hockey will be played in knockout and league formats, archery will feature recurve, compound, and Indian rounds, while athletics will include races, long jump, and other track and field events. Winners will be awarded medals, trophies, and tracksuits.
On August 30, traditional games like gilli-danda, gendi race, matka phod, tug of war, and Sikandar will be held at the district level along with indoor games. The main celebrations will take place in Ranchi at the Football Stadium, Astroturf Hockey Stadium, Mandir Ground, and the auditorium. Activities will begin on August 29 with school fitness sessions during morning assemblies under the Fit India Movement.
Players from the police, ITBP, army, and other departments will also participate in friendly matches. Officials said the celebrations aim to promote fitness, encourage youth participation in sports, and revive interest in traditional games.