– Mita Mukherjee

The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) on Friday asked its affiliated schools to administer a national sports day pledge to students and staff during the morning assembly on August 29.

August 29 is observed as National Sports Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary hockey player. In a circular issued to heads of CISCE schools, the council shared the pledge that read: “To make myself physically fit, mentally strong and emotionally balanced. I will encourage my family and friends to play and participate in sports and fitness activities every day. I will strive to imbibe the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship in every sport I play.”

This year, the celebrations will be held under the campaign “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein” – encouraging everyone to devote at least an hour to physical activity or sports. The Council in its circular requested schools to organise sports and fitness activities as outlined in the standard operating procedure issued by the Fit India scheme of the Centre launched in 2019 with an aim to make fitness an integral part of our daily lives.

The Council in the circular requested the schools to “ensure active and inclusive participation, thereby making National Sports Day 2025 a true celebration of India’s sporting legacy unity and fitness movement.”

This year, the National Sports Day has been planned as a pan-India movement to make India embrace sport by mobilising people across the country and age-groups to actively participate in at least on sport. The celebrations will start on August 29 and continue till August 31.

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