Patiala, August 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The fourth edition of the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan torch march moved from Patiala to Fatehgarh Sahib on Sunday, with AAP State General Secretary and Media In-charge Baltej Singh Pannu saying the Bhagwant Mann government had given a major push to sports and helped establish Punjab as a leading sporting state.
The torch was flagged off from Rink Hall, Baradari, Patiala, after an overnight halt in the city. The event has been organised by the Punjab Sports Department.
Addressing the gathering, Pannu said Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan had translated Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s vision of developing a strong sporting culture into concrete action. He said sports were also an important component of the state’s efforts to combat drug abuse.
Pannu said around 3,100 sports stadiums had been constructed across Punjab over the past four years, creating opportunities for people from three generations to participate in sporting activities at the same venues.
On the drug menace, Pannu said it was not confined to Punjab but was a problem affecting the country and the world. He said the Punjab government’s “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” campaign, being implemented with public participation, was showing positive results.
Responding to a question on law and order, Pannu said the situation in Punjab was firmly under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and there was no reason for the Opposition to be concerned.
He also criticised the India-US trade agreement, claiming that its adverse impact would primarily be felt by farmers, and urged the Prime Minister to consider their demands.
During the programme, Pannu felicitated Arjun, a Commonwealth Fencing Championship bronze medallist in the foil category and a coach; Olympian athletics coach Gurpreet Singh; and Asian silver medallist cricketer and coach Kanika Ahuja.
District Sports Officer Navjot Singh Dhaliwal said competitions in kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, football and athletics would be held at the block level. As many as 28 sports disciplines would be organised at the district level and 38 at the state level.
PRTC Chairman Harpal Juneja, District Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, Yudh Nasheyan Virudh Coordinator Yadvinder Singh Goldy, ADC Damanjit Singh Mann, OSD Gurwinder Singh, coaches, sportspersons, students and teachers were among those present.
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