Zafar Iqbal, Mansukh Mandaviya pay tributes to Dhyan Chand on National Sports Day

NEW DEHI: On National Sports Day, hockey great Zafar Iqbal paid tributes to Major Dhyan Chand alongside Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The latter also emphasized the importance of concentrating on sports like table tennis and swimming in order to win more medals at the Olympics.
National Sports Day is observed on the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand, who won gold medals in three consecutive Olympics during the pre-independence era.
After laying floral tributes at the statue of Dhyan Chand at the National Stadium, Mandaviya stated that maintaining physical fitness was essential to creating a community that was healthy, as per PTI.
"On the occasion of the National Sports Day, we paid a floral tribute to Major Dhyan Chand on his birth anniversary. What Prime Minister Narendra Modi says is right... that is those who play, flourish," Mandaviya told PTI Videos after paying tribute to the legend on his 119th birth anniversary.
"The citizens of the country need to stay fit and healthy, and healthy citizens build a healthy society. And that society contributes to building and making a happy country. In 2047, to make an advanced version of India, all the citizens must remain healthy.
"And to remain fit, one must play sports. Everyone should set aside an hour to play a sports of their liking. I too will play the sport of my choosing... football on this National Sports Day," added Mandaviya.

Former hockey captain Iqbal conveyed his satisfaction with the Indian sportsmen' achievement in the just ended Olympics in Paris, where the nation took home six medals. However, he also believed that much more effort was needed to advance sport in India.
"We have to work very hard for the upliftment of sports; there is no doubt about it that the contingent that had gone to Paris for the Olympics they performed really well. They have improved their position at that level," said Iqbal.
Five bronze and one silver medal were among India's six medals in Paris, and six of its athletes advanced to the finals in their respective events.
Iqbal stated that the country ought to pursue medals in high-potential sports like swimming and athletics.
"India is doing a great job, the athletes are quite confident. We had sent 117 athletes... there are a number of medals available in swimming, table tennis, athletics, and badminton, where the team can win.
"We are improving, we are creating a sporting culture in our country... that is a big achievement and the government is spending a lot of money to give experience to the athletes. I am sure we will do better in future," he added.
He referred to the Indian hockey team's bronze medal-winning effort as a fantastic accomplishment.
"It is a big achievement as far as hockey is concerned. We went without a medal for four decades and then in Tokyo (2021) we won bronze. And now in Paris, we won another medal.
"This medal is like gold for us, and it encourages the youngsters to take up hockey seriously and play for the country. I am sure that hockey is doing pretty well," said Iqbal, who was a member of the 1980 Olympics gold-winning side in Moscow.
He continued by saying that the squad would need to quickly produce a goalie of PR Sreejesh's caliber. After the campaign in Paris, Sreejesh called it a day.
"Sreejesh will no longer be there in the squad. We have to develop a replacement. Krishan Pathak is also there, he will perform equally good, I am sure," he said.
"He (Sreejesh) is one of the greatest players India has produced as far as goal-keeping is concerned, he was a good leader of the team as well. He had many good qualities. We will miss him badly in the coming international competitions as well as the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
In addition to Sreejesh, he said, the Indian squad may miss veteran players like former captain Manpreet Singh, who may announce his retirement soon.
"A few more may leave the hockey team, like Manpreet Singh. He has already played four Olympics, I don't know how he does well in between to be part of the team."