Hockey India Marks 77th Olympic Day with Nationwide Events

New Delhi: Marking the 77th Olympic Day, Hockey India and its member units organized a wide array of sporting events and community activities across the country to celebrate the Olympic spirit and promote physical fitness, inclusivity, and camaraderie.

The nationwide celebrations included exhibition matches, friendly tournaments, training and fitness sessions, poster-making and quiz competitions, essay-writing contests, and environmental initiatives like tree plantation drives. These events aimed to reinforce the Olympic values of sportsmanship, unity, and active living among people from all walks of life.

Participating member units included Assam Hockey, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey, Hockey Arunachal, Hockey Mizoram, Chhattisgarh Hockey, and Hockey Jharkhand, all of which hosted exhibition matches in their respective regions. Meanwhile, Goans Hockey and the Hockey Association of Odisha conducted full-fledged hockey tournaments to engage athletes and enthusiasts alike.

Beyond the field, Assam Hockey, the Hockey Association of Odisha, and Chhattisgarh Hockey held poster-making and essay-writing competitions for youth, encouraging creative expression around the theme of Olympic values. Hockey Mizoram also conducted a tree plantation drive, contributing to environmental awareness.

Odisha’s Naval Tata Hockey Academy added a special touch to the celebrations by hosting a lunch with Olympians and conducting quiz competitions, allowing young players to engage with and learn from national sporting icons.

Olympic Day is observed globally every year on June 23, commemorating the founding of the modern Olympic Games in 1894 in Paris. It serves as a reminder to people of all ages and abilities to get moving and embrace sports in daily life. Since 2023, the celebration has also aligned with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) “Let’s Move” initiative, which advocates for increased physical activity to combat sedentary lifestyles.

Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said,

“Every year on 23 June, our member units come together to show their remarkable dedication to the global Olympic movement and their love for hockey. Through these wide-ranging activities, they not only promote fitness and unity but also reflect the true spirit of Olympic Day, which champions inclusivity across all ages, genders, and abilities.”

Hockey India’s Olympic Day efforts not only celebrated sport but also highlighted its commitment to building a healthier, more united nation through the power of hockey and community participation.