Sachin Tendulkar posts special tweet, dedicates National Sports Day to 'sportswomen'

New Delhi: New Delhi: Major Dhyan Chand, often referred to as 'The Wizard' for his incredible hockey skills, was born on August 29, 1905, to a Rajput family in Allahabad. 

To commemorate his birth anniversary, in 2012, the Government of India decided to celebrate 29th August as the country's 'National Sports Day'.

India's greatest sportsman from the current generation, Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartwarming message on the special day.

He called out to the people of India to dedicate this day to the sportswomen of India.

He tweeted, "We must all dedicate this #NationalSportsDay to the sportswomen of our country for making us proud in their respective fields. #LoveSports"

We must all dedicate this #NationalSportsDay to the sportswomen of our country for making us proud in their respective fields. #LoveSports pic.twitter.com/owW5CSX6gm — sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) August 29, 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated all sports lovers across India and has expressed hope that sports and sportsmanship will always shine in our society.

"On #NationalSportsDay, I congratulate all sportspersons and sports enthusiasts who pursue sports with great vigour and passion," he wrote.

On #NationalSportsDay, I congratulate all sportspersons and sports enthusiasts who pursue sports with great vigour and passion. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 29, 2017

PM Modi announced the launch of the 'Khelo India' initiative in his weekly radio programme Mann ki baat on Sunday.

"The country celebrates National Sports Day on the 29th of August. This is the birth anniversary of the great hockey player, hockey wizard, Major Dhyan Chand ji. His contribution to hockey was unparalleled. I am reminding you of this because I want the younger generation of our country to take part in sports," PM Modi had said.

"Sports should become a part of our lives. If we are a young nation, our youth should get manifested in the field of sports as well. Sports means physical fitness, mental alertness and personality enhancement. What else does one need? Sports, in a way, is a recipe that brings people together."

Apart from Tendulkar, many other sports persons took to Twitter and shared their feelings.

Here are some tweets:

Tributes to the greatest hockey player of all times and India's greatest sportsman, Major Dhyanchand on #NationalSportsDay . pic.twitter.com/MzYxMGPDtC — Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) August 29, 2017

Every champion refused to give up when he or she was down. On #NationalSportsDay, I urge you all to chase your dreams & be the best. pic.twitter.com/gNo9ZcjT7X — hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) August 29, 2017

On #NationalSportsDay, I salute, congratulate & extend my best wishes to all #sports-persons who have made #India proud & continue to do so. — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) August 29, 2017

Tribute to the finest hockey player of all time, Dhyan Chand. #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/GoQvWEBa4k — Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) August 29, 2017

Wishing all the sportspersons, especially our daughters who’re bringing laurels to the Nation one after the other. #NationalSportsDay pic.twitter.com/L9S8h9iWAF — Maneka Gandhi (@Manekagandhibjp) August 29, 2017

Happy #NationalSportsDay  pic.twitter.com/kXvgxoXG7z — Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 29, 2017

Tributes to the legendary Major Dhyan Chand on #NationalSportsDay. Sports develop character, a never-say-die attitude & spirit of teamwork. pic.twitter.com/jR3AruL8fs — Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) August 29, 2017

On this day every year, the President of India gives out all the sports-related awards like the Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to honour sports persons and coaches who have made the nation proud with their service in their respective sport.