National Sports Day to Be Celebrated in All Odisha Schools on August 29

Bhubaneswar: Schools and educational institutions across Odisha will observe National Sports Day on August 29, following instructions issued by the Odisha School Education Programme Authority (OSEPA) under Samagra Shiksha. The annual occasion marks the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand and aims to inspire students to embrace sports and fitness as part of their daily lives.

In a notification issued by OSEPA’s Additional Director (General), District Education Officers (DEOs)-cum-District Project Coordinators (DPCs) have been directed to ensure smooth conduct of the celebrations at the grassroots level. The order follows a directive from the Government of India dated August 11, 2025.

For uniformity across schools, OSEPA has circulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) along with a list of suggested activities such as fitness drills, sports competitions, and awareness programmes. “The ADEO (Scheme) has been designated as the Nodal Officer for the observance of National Sports Day at all levels,” the notification stated.

Schools have also been asked to document the programmes and submit brief reports with photographs and videos. The documentation can be emailed to contact@fitindia.gov.in
or uploaded on the official Fit India portal (fitindia.gov.in/national-sports-day-2025).

Officials stressed that this year’s observance should embody the spirit of the Fit India Movement, encouraging schools to engage students in fun, team-based physical activities that highlight the benefits of an active lifestyle.