Rich tributes were paid to hockey wizard Dhyan Chand whose birth anniversary is celebrated as National Sports day during the World Sports Day 2011 celebration held at AVVM Sri Pushpam College at Poondi near here on Monday.
K. Vaithianathan, vice-chancellor, Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, said that Dhyan Chand was respected and honoured not only for his sports talents but also for his patriotism.
When he led the Indian hockey team to gold in the 1936 Olympics at Berlin, Adolf Hitler was ready to honour him with the title Colonel in his army. At that time Dhyan Chand was a Major in English-Indian Army. Though Hitler offered a very big post, Dhyan Chand refused to take it and stood by India. Many awards including the famous Arjuna Award are distributed to sportspersons at the Rathrapathi Bhavan on this day every year, Mr.Vaithianathan said.
Dhyan Chand is known for his goal scoring feats. Mr.Vaithianathan said that sports and physical activities are necessary for people to remain healthy. K.Thulasiah Vandayar, secretary and correspondent of the college, cited the example Anna Hazare, anti-corruption crusader for spearheading the movement. He appealed to the students to make best use of the sports facility available in the college and the dhyan mandapam .
Vaithianathan distributed prizes to outstanding sportspersons of the college on the occasion. S.Chinnaiyan, principal, presided over.
