Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today took a major step towards promoting sports at the grassroots level by inaugurating more than 509 modern ‘Rural Sports Grounds’ established in different districts from village Dedhna in Patiala district. With this, the total number of playgrounds dedicated to the youth has now reached 734. He said that this initiative will provide world class sports facilities to the village youth and will further strengthen the government’s fight against drugs by promoting the message of ‘stay away from drugs and join sports’.
Big statement of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government is developing 3,100 rural sports grounds across Punjab this year from a sports budget of Rs 1,744 crore, with Rs 1,500 crore earmarked specifically for these grounds. Apart from providing financial assistance to the players for training and preparation, the work of setting up 6,000 gyms in villages is also going on war footing.
After dedicating the playgrounds to the youth under the second phase of the state government’s plan to develop 3,100 modern rural playgrounds across Punjab, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “With the aim of encouraging sports activities and providing world class facilities at the grassroots level, Punjab is continuously moving towards the goal of healthy body and healthy mind. He said that after dedicating 255 rural sports grounds in the first phase, today we are dedicating 509 more rural sports grounds to the people.”
The Chief Minister said that 3,100 rural sports grounds equipped with modern facilities are being built across Punjab with a budget of Rs 1,500 crore. He further said, “Of the 509 rural sports grounds being dedicated in the second phase, 43 have been dedicated in Ludhiana, 41 in Mansa, 36 in Sangrur, 34 each in Bathinda and Patiala, 33 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 32 in Amritsar and the rest have been dedicated to villages in other districts.”
he insisted, “These rural playgrounds will contribute significantly to the ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign and will give a message to our youth to ‘stay away from drugs and join sports’. He said that these grounds will become a ray of hope and opportunities for talented and emerging players.”
He informed that facilities for volleyball, football, cricket and other popular traditional games are being provided in rural playgrounds. He said that the State Government will also organize various sports and recreational activities for children and elderly, so that sports and physical activities can become an integral part of every person’s life. He said, “These grounds will become a symbol of mutual harmony and unity in the villages.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “If a child has a good school for studies and a suitable playground for physical development, then that child can bring glory to the village, Punjab and the country at the global level. It is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that we are providing world class facilities for education and sports. He said that these rural sports grounds are being equipped with modern infrastructure, including high-mast (big) lights, footlights with walking tracks, strong mesh fencing and other facilities for night time sports activities. He said that along with this, saplings are also being planted around the sports grounds to promote a green and healthy environment.”
The Chief Minister said that football goal posts, volleyball poles, swings for children and other facilities are also available in these playgrounds. He said, “Sports materials are being provided to the players according to the popular sports in each village. If cricket is popular in a particular village, then cricket kits will be provided specifically there along with necessary materials for other popular games.”
He said that the Punjab government has dedicated the year 2026 to sports and sportspersons. He said, “This year 3,100 rural sports grounds will be constructed in Punjab. Along with this, 6,000 rural gyms are also being set up, out of which 500 have already been inaugurated.”
The Chief Minister said that the fourth season of ‘Khedaan Watan Punjab Diyan’ will start from Bathinda from September 5, in which an estimated 10 lakh players will participate. He further said that for the first time Punjab is hosting the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, whose matches will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November. The Chief Minister said, “The people of Punjab will get an opportunity to see their hockey stars playing on their own soil. IPL in Punjab On the lines of T-20 cricket league, a T-20 cricket league is also being organised, which will be held from 30th August to 13th September at P.C.A. Will be played at Stadium, Mohali.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that sports are an integral part of Punjab’s glorious heritage and rich culture. He said, “A new sports policy was brought in 2023, under which the sports budget has been increased and players are being provided cash awards and financial assistance for training and preparation. For the first time in the history of Punjab, a dedicated budget of Rs 1,744 crore has been allocated for sports.” He informed that since the year 2022 till now, prize money of Rs 135 crore has been distributed to 40,415 players.
The Chief Minister said that financial assistance is also being provided to the players for their preparation, which includes Rs 15 lakh for the preparation of Olympics and Rs 8 lakh for the preparation of Asian and Commonwealth Games. He said, “85 players have been honored with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, while 11 players who have brought glory to Punjab at the national and international level have been awarded PCS/DSP. Officer has been appointed.”
The Chief Minister said that the sports efforts of his government are aimed at creating a strong sports ecosystem across Punjab, strengthening the sports culture at the grassroots level and providing necessary facilities to the youth to excel in sports. Cabinet Ministers Tarunpreet Singh Saund and Dr. Balbir Singh were also present on this occasion.