Jalandhar, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Horticulture and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Monday inaugurated district-level competitions under the fourth season of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ at Government Arts and Sports College, Jalandhar, highlighting the state government’s initiatives to strengthen sports infrastructure and encourage youth to stay away from drugs.
Addressing athletes, sports enthusiasts and officials at the event, Bhagat said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, was promoting sports at all levels, including football, volleyball and hockey.
Emphasising the role of sports in combating drug abuse, the minister said that participation in sports could help channel the energy of young people towards constructive activities. He described the promotion of sports as a key part of the government’s efforts to tackle the drug menace in Punjab.
Bhagat announced that the state government had allocated Rs 1,800 crore for sports, which he described as a record budget in Punjab’s history. He said the funds would be utilised to develop model playgrounds in both rural and urban areas, with the aim of providing better sports facilities to young athletes, particularly those from villages.
The minister also highlighted initiatives to provide advance financial assistance for diet and training to athletes preparing for national and international competitions. He said the support was intended to ensure that financial constraints did not deprive players of opportunities to pursue their sporting ambitions.
Commending the District Administration and the Sports Department for organising the district-level competitions, Bhagat encouraged participants to compete with dedication, discipline and sportsmanship.
On the occasion, Red Cross Society Secretary Surjit Lal distributed sports kits among players from the society.
Those present at the inauguration included Joint Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation Sumandeep Kaur, District Sports Officer Gurpreet Singh Bajwa, Assistant Director of Youth Services Ravi Dara, College Principal Dr. Randeep Singh, Sports Welfare Board Vice Chairman Inderpreet Singh, Dhyan Chand Award recipient Sushil Kohli, retired District Sports Officer Gurbhagat Singh Sandhu, swimming coach Umesh Sharma, athletics coach Vikramjeet Singh, swimming coach Mangat Singh and wrestling coach Ranjit Singh.
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