The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Youth Wing on Thursday announced a statewide campaign to encourage young people to embrace fitness and stay away from drugs, with a 5.5-kilometre marathon scheduled to be held in Mohali on August 9.
The marathon will begin from Sri Amb Sahib Gurdwara and is expected to draw thousands of participants from across Punjab as part of the party’s campaign to promote sports and a drug-free society.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Goldy, AAP Punjab Youth Wing President and MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, and Youth Wing Vice-President Veer Davinder Singh Ballan said the initiative aims to motivate young people to adopt healthy lifestyles and contribute towards building a “Rangla Punjab.”
Parminder Goldy said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has undertaken several initiatives for youth welfare and sports development. He said more than 3,100 sports grounds have been developed across the state, indoor and outdoor gyms have been established, and sports kits will soon be distributed at the village level. He also said the Youth Wing has formed 21-member youth clubs in villages to promote government initiatives and community engagement.
Appealing to youngsters to participate in the marathon, Goldy said registration is being conducted through an online portal and added that similar events would be organised in other districts in the coming months.
MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura said physical fitness strengthens both the body and mind, adding that healthy and confident youth are essential for a stronger Punjab. He urged youngsters to spend more time participating in sports, saying such activities naturally help steer them away from drug abuse.
He also credited Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for expanding sports infrastructure across the state through the development of stadiums and gyms.
Youth Wing Vice-President Veer Davinder Singh Ballan said the marathon is part of a broader campaign to connect young people with sports and spread awareness about a healthy, drug-free Punjab. He said the event will feature a 5.5-km run across four age categories, with prizes for top performers.
Ballan informed that more than 3,000 participants have already registered for the marathon and expressed confidence that the number would exceed 5,000 before the event. He said both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts are expected to take part.
The Youth Wing leaders appealed to the youth of Punjab to participate in large numbers and become ambassadors of fitness, sports and a drug-free society, reiterating that the campaign would be expanded across the state.
FOLLOW NOW
