Cabinet Minister inaugurates block-level sports competitions in Jalandhar West
Urges youth to participate actively in sports for creating a drug-free and Rangla Punjab
Chandigarh / Jalandhar, September 7:
Punjab Horticulture, Freedom Fighters and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat today inaugurated the block-level sports competitions of Jalandhar West under ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan-2026’ at the Government Arts and Sports College, Jalandhar
Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister said that ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ has played a significant role in fostering a strong sports culture across the state. He said that the annual sporting competitions organised under the initiative have not only encouraged a large number of youngsters to take up sports but have also provided athletes across all age groups with a platform to showcase their talent.
Mr. Bhagat said that a new era of sports has begun in the state due to the special efforts of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, with Punjab’s players bringing laurels to the state and the country at national and international levels. He said that the Punjab Government is working round the clock to make the state a Rangla Punjab. It was with this vision that ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ was launched to connect the state’s youth with sports and channel their energy in a positive and constructive direction.
He said that the state government is developing modern sports grounds at the village level to strengthen sports infrastructure at the grassroots level and encourage youngsters to take up sports. He said that, for the first time, lakhs of rupees are being provided to players for sports training, while those who bring laurels to Punjab at the international level are being given cash prizes worth crores of rupees along with government jobs.
The Cabinet Minister also urged the youth to stay away from drugs and participate actively in sports to build a drug-free and Rangla Punjab.
On the occasion, Mr. Bhagat congratulated Gurinderbir Singh, who competes in the 100-metre race, and Rashdeep Kaur, who competes in the 4×100-metre relay, both players of the Athletics Coaching Centre Sports School, on being selected for the Asian Games. Earlier, Mr. Bhagat inaugurated a volleyball match and interacted with the players, motivating them to always play in the true spirit of sportsmanship.
On his arrival at the event, District Sports Officer Gurpreet Singh Bajwa welcomed Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat. The District Sports Officer informed that on the first day of the block-level games today, competitions in athletics, volleyball smashing and shooting, circle-style and national-style kabaddi, kho-kho and football were organised in Nurmahal, Nakodar, Lohian, Shahkot, Jalandhar West and Mehatpur blocks.
BDPO Seva Singh, Athletics Coaches Bikramjit Singh, Sarabjit Singh and Sunil Kumar, Volleyball Coach Amritpal Singh, Twinkle Chaudhary, Junior Athletics Coach and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
