SANGRUR: ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ began today at war heores stadium here with inauguration by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Hesaid that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that this mega sporting event is being launched today to commemorate National Sports Day- the birth anniversary of Hockey Wizard Major Dhyan Chand.
The Chief Minister took salute from the impressive march past of the participating contingents of various districts. Announcing the opening of this around two months long much awaited gala sporting event, Bhagwant Singh Mann He said that this time around five lakh players will vie for medals in nine age groups of 37 games.
The Chief Minister said that a cash prize of over Rs 9 crore will be distributed to the winners. He said that for the first time, para sports, including Athletics, Badminton and Powerlifting, have also been included in the Khedan Watan Punjab Dian. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in these three sports, para athletes from Punjab are participating in the Paris Paralympics.
The Chief Minister said that this major sports event aims at channelising the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction to wean them away from the menace of drugs. He said that during these games block level competitions will be held from September 1-10, district level competitions will be held from September 15-22 and state level competitions will be held from October 11 to November 9. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the second season of “Khedan Watan Punjab Dian” was held in the year 2023 in which 4.5 lakh players had participated and Rs 8.87 crore rupees were distributed to 12, 500 winning players.
The Chief Minister said that in order to give impetus to sports the state government has kept a budgetary provision of Rs 30 crore in Punjab for Khedan Watan Punjab Dian during current year. He said that the state government has given cash prize worth Rs 1 crore each to eight players of Indian hockey contingent that had bagged bronze medals adding that Rs 15 lakh was given to participants apart from Rs 15 lakh given for preparation to them. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that ever since assuming the charge of office his government has disbursed Rs 87.47 crore to 24, 500 players for winning medals, participation in competition and preparation of such events.
The Chief Minister said that the sports budget for current fiscal was Rs 252 crore which was 16.36 % more than last year. He said that Punjab has become the first state in the country to create its medical cadre in sports for which 113 posts have been created adding that 500 new posts have been approved for outstanding sports personnel (medal winners). Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the posts of Junior Coaches, Senior Coaches, Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors have been enhanced from currently 444 to 581.
The Chief Minister asserted that the players are being provided with state of the art infrastructure and world class facilities. He said that the state government is committed for restoring the pristine glory of the state in the field of sports and no stone is being left unturned for it. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that due to concerted efforts of the state government players have carved a niche for themselves in the Asian games and Olympics.
Meanwhile, cultural performances by the school kids mesmerized the audience with their dazzling performance. Leading Punjabi singers Gurdass Mann, Harbhajan Shera, Pari Pandher, Asmeet Sehra, Basant Kaur, Arman Dhillon and other singers entertained the audience. On the occasion, wonder kids stunned the audiences with their skating and gymnastic performances.
Earlier players such as Maha Singh, Mandeep Kaur, Sunita Rani, Gagan Ajit Singh, Sifat Kaur, Arjan Singh Cheema, Sukhmeet Singh, Vijayveer Singh, Harshdeep Kaur, Mehakpreet Singh, Simranjeet Singh and Jaspreet Singh brought the torch of games and triggered the flame from the stage. Renowned Player Abhi Joshi was the flag bearer of the game.
On the occasion the impressive video depicting the overall scenario of the games accompanied by the traditional dance ‘Giddha’ and ‘Bhangra’ enthralled the audience and forced them to tap their feet. Likewise the gathering also cheered the medley performance of students during the inaugural function in the stadium. The gathering also gave a standing ovation to the dazzling firework show on the occasion.