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Swimmer Sachin Nag's son fights for honour to receive posthumous Dhyan Chand Award
Sachin Nag was an Indian swimmer who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics. He was part of the Asian Games of 1951 held in Delhi, where he won a gold medal for the country. He received appreciation and recognition from Jawaharlal Nehru for being the fastest swimmer at the Asian Games that year. Ashok Nag, son of Sachin Nag has been fighting for his family’s honour. For the upcoming National Sports day, Sachin Nag’s name has been recommended for the award of Dhyan Chand Award.
With 100 days to go for #AsianGames2018, here's a throwback to independent India hosting her first Asian Games back in 1951 and it was important on many counts. It was Prime Minister Pandit Nehru's way of asserting India as a power within Asia.
(Photo: Opening Ceremony) pic.twitter.com/SuO301s4Iy
— The Bridge (@TheBridge_IN) May 10, 2018
According to Sachin’s biography, he learnt swimming at the age of 10 while hiding from the police. He entered a swimming competition, a 10km race all over the Ganges to escape and scored 3rd in the race. This led him to competing further and winning India the gold medal in the 1951 Asian Games. India hosted the Asian Games in 1982 but Sachin Nag did not receive an invitation for this event. The next swimming medal that India won was in 1986, scored in the 200m butterfly by Khajan Singh. This took place 26 years after Sachin Nag’s gold medal.
Sachin Nag later on could not participate in swimming but mentored some of the best swimmers in Bengal like Nafisa Ali and Arati Saha. He passed away in 1987 despite his yearnings for recognition from government for his service.
National Sports Day 2020 takes place on August 29th, commemorating the birthday of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.
Also read: Olympian boxer, who now drives a taxi, recommended for Dhyan Chand award
