The Special cover issued on the occasion of National Sports Day on 29th August 2017 features a black and white portrait of Dhyan Chand Singh and a sepia toned image of Dhyan Chand in action in the hockey field. The Cover also features the logo of Karnataka State Hockey Association and the Swacha Bharat logo. The Special pictorial cancellation is a line graphic sketch of a Hockey Player in action. The stamp is of Olympic Games Rio issued in 2016. The Cover is sponsored by Karnataka State Hockey Association, PSR Groups, Bengaluru, KCPC & GE HBCS Ltd. Bengaluru. (No:KTK/69/2017).
National Sports Day in India is celebrated on August 29, the birthday of Dhyan Chand, one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. Dhyan Chand won gold medals for India in Olympics in the years 1928,1932 and 1936. On this day, matches are organised between different Indian hockey teams at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi. National Sports Awards such as Arjuna and Khel Ratna are conferred on selected athletes by the President of India every year, on this day. The National Hockey stadium in Delhi was renamed as Dhyan Chand National Stadium in 2002. The National Sports Day celebrations are a commemoration of his achievements. The day is also known as Rashtriya Khel Divas. The Major Dyanchand Awards conferred on athletes is the highest award for lifetime achievement in sports and games in India.
