Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated more than 509 modern rural sports grounds established in various districts from village Dedhna in Patiala district. With this, the total number of rural playgrounds dedicated to the youth has now reached 734.
The Chief Minister 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’.
3,100 sports grounds developed
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government is developing 3,100 rural sports grounds across Punjab this year with a sports budget of Rs 1,744 crore. Of these, Rs 1,500 crore has been kept especially for these grounds.
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, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is continuously moving towards the goal of healthy body and healthy mind with the aim of encouraging sports activities and providing world class facilities at the grassroots level.
He said that in the first phase, 255 rural sports grounds were dedicated and now 509 more rural sports grounds have been dedicated to the people.
43 grounds in Ludhiana, 41 grounds in Mansa
The Chief Minister said that out of 509 rural sports grounds being dedicated in the second phase, 43 are in Ludhiana, 41 in Mansa, 36 in Sangrur, 34 each in Bathinda and Patiala, 33 in Sri Muktsar Sahib and 32 in Amritsar. The remaining rural sports grounds have been dedicated to villages in other districts.
He said that these rural sports grounds will make an important contribution in the ‘war against drugs’ campaign and will give a message to the youth to ‘stay away from drugs and join sports’. These grounds will become a ray of hope and opportunity for talented and emerging players.
Volleyball and cricket facilities
The Chief Minister said that facilities for volleyball, football, cricket and other popular traditional games are being provided in rural sports grounds. Various sports and recreational activities will also be organized for children and elders, he said that sports grounds will become a symbol of mutual harmony and unity in the villages.
Walking track facility
The Chief Minister said that these rural sports grounds are being equipped with modern infrastructure. These include high-mast lights for night time sports activities, footlights along the walking track, strong mesh fencing and other facilities. Saplings are also being planted around the sports grounds, he said that football goal posts, volleyball poles, swings for children and other facilities are also available in these grounds.
The Chief Minister said that sports material is being provided to the players according to the popular sports in every village. If cricket is popular in a village, then along with the cricket kit, necessary materials for other popular sports will also be made available there.
6,000 rural gyms established
The Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government has dedicated the year 2026 to sports and sportspersons. This year, 3,100 rural sports grounds will be prepared in Punjab. Along with this, 6,000 rural gyms are also being established, out of which 500 have already been inaugurated. He also talked about providing financial assistance to the players for training and preparation.
‘Khedan Watan Punjab Day’ from 5th September
The Chief Minister said that the fourth season of ‘Khedaan Watan Punjab Diyan’ will start from Bathinda from September 5. An estimated 10 lakh players will participate in it, he said that for the first time Punjab is hosting the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy. Its matches will be held in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November. The people of Punjab will get an opportunity to see their hockey stars playing on their soil.
The Chief Minister said that on the lines of IPL, a T-20 cricket league is also being organized in Punjab, which will be held from 30th August to 13th September at PCA. Will be played at Stadium, Mohali.
Budget of Rs 1,744 crore for sports
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said that sports are an integral part of Punjab’s glorious heritage and rich culture. He said that 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. He said that for the first time in the history of Punjab, a dedicated budget of Rs 1,744 crore has been allocated for sports. From the year 2022 till now, prize money of Rs 135 crore has been distributed to 40,415 players.
15 lakh for Olympic preparation
The Chief Minister said that financial assistance is also being provided to the players for their preparation. This includes Rs 15 lakh for Olympic preparation and Rs 8 lakh for Asian and Commonwealth Games preparation, he said, adding that 85 players have been awarded the 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.
Emphasis on strengthening the sports ecosystem
The Chief Minister said that the sports efforts of the 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.