The National Sports Day of India celebrates the birth anniversary of the hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand Singh known as the “Hockey Wizard” solemnly recognizing his extraordinary skills and role in securing India’s three successive Olympic gold medals in hockey in 1928, 1932, and 1936. His unmatched stick-work, scoring ability and sportsmanship brought international fame to Indian hockey.

Such was his ball control, even Adolf Hitler was also highly impressed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. India went on to thrash hosts Germany by 8-1 in the final to clinch the gold medal for the third time in a row. Dhyan Chand put up an outstanding display scoring 4 goals. After the match, Hitler checked out his stick, if any glue or magnet was attached to control the ball. He even offered Dhyan Chand to play for the German national side, which was gladly turned town by the true patriot Major saab at once.

Major Dhyan Chand himself was  a player from Services and not a regular member of Mohun Bagan hockey team. But he donned the prestigious Mohun Bagan jersey on a few occasions and always felt excited to stay connected with the national club. He also attended as a honorary guest in the club’s platinum jubilee program in 1964 and penned a greeting message for the club’s success. 

Major Dhyan Chand had immensely friendly terms with his contemporary stalwarts of Indian sports like Gostha Pal and Syed Mustaq Ali. Later Dhyan Chand inspired his sons Raj Kumar, Ashok Kumar (former India captain) to go on to don the green and maroon jersey. Two legends Dhyan Chand and Gostha Pal in a single frame sharing a candid moment in Mohun Bagan’s Platinum Jubilee in 1964 still remains a treasure of all time in Indian sports history.