Hockey India celebrates 78th Olympic Day with member units across the country – Hockey India

~Grassroots initiatives, tournaments and fitness activities mark Olympic Day celebrations nationwide~
New Delhi, 23 June 2026: Hockey India, along with its member units, celebrated the 78th Olympic Day across the country under the theme ‘You Can Do This. Let’s Move’, with a series of sporting, fitness and community-driven initiatives that highlighted the Olympic values of participation, and active living.
Across several states, Hockey India’s member units organised tournaments, exhibition matches, fitness sessions, grassroots engagement programmes and awareness activities to promote the spirit of sport and encourage participation at every level.
As part of the celebrations, Goans Hockey distributed hockey kits in Margao to support grassroots development of the sport and also conducted an inter-school hockey tournament. Hockey Bengal hosted a seven-a-side hockey championship, while the Odisha Naval Tata Hockey High Performance Centre organised exhibition matches to mark the occasion.
Hockey Rajasthan conducted a yoga session with active participation from players, underlining the importance of fitness and wellbeing in an athlete’s development. Hockey Gujarat and Hockey Jharkhand also celebrated Olympic Day through various sporting and community activities.
Hockey Mizoram engaged young children through introductory sport and movement-based activities, while Chhattisgarh Hockey organised hockey matches for younger age groups, giving emerging players an opportunity to showcase their talent in a competitive environment.
Assam Hockey, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu Hockey also marked the occasion with various activities. The Odisha Naval Tata Hockey Academy and Mithapur Hockey Academy celebrated Olympic Day by organising hockey matches for young players.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Hockey led one of the most extensive celebrations, with hockey matches, awareness workshops and grassroots initiatives conducted across districts, encouraging widespread participation and engagement.
These nationwide initiatives reflect Hockey India’s continued commitment towards strengthening grassroots development, expanding access to sport across regions, and promoting healthier and more active lifestyles through hockey.
This year’s Olympic Day theme, ‘You Can Do This. Let’s Move’, is rooted in the belief that one step, one session, or one moment of movement can be the beginning of a journey towards an active lifestyle. It encourages people, especially young athletes, to take their first step with confidence while recognising that uncertainty or hesitation is a natural part of starting something new.
Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey said, “Every year, Olympic Day serves as a reminder of the values that define sport and unite communities. It is inspiring to see our member units actively engaging people at the grassroots level through meaningful initiatives that promote participation, fitness and wellbeing. The theme, ‘You Can Do This. Let’s Move’, carries a simple yet powerful message, encouraging everyone to take their first step towards an active lifestyle.”
Hockey India Secretary General Shri Bhola Nath Singh said, “This year’s Olympic Day celebrations witnessed enthusiastic participation from our member units across the country, with programmes ranging from grassroots tournaments and school engagement activities to fitness and wellness initiatives. These efforts play an important role in taking hockey closer to communities and inspiring young people to embrace sport and the benefits of an active lifestyle.”
Olympic Day is observed annually on 23 June to commemorate the birth of the modern Olympic Movement, following the establishment of the International Olympic Committee on 23 June 1894 in Paris. The day promotes participation in sport for all, regardless of age, background or ability.
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