Minister Sond : To enable Punjab’s budding sportspersons to compete at the Olympics and other global sporting platforms,
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has unveiled an ambitious plan to set up 13,000 state-of-the-art rural sports grounds across the state. Providing details, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Sond said that construction of 3,073 village sports grounds has already started in the first phase. He pointed out that unlike previous governments, which failed to invest in sports infrastructure, the AAP government has prioritized nurturing youth and promoting sports culture. According to him, developing rural playgrounds will not only build a strong sports ecosystem but also help steer youngsters away from drugs by channeling their energy positively.
Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond further noted that the state’s ongoing anti-drug campaign, “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh,” is already showing results, and once these facilities are operational, the youth will permanently distance themselves from addiction. He emphasized that sports will inspire passion among young people while protecting them from destructive habits.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister announced that renowned international players will be appointed as coaches to train young talent, giving them exposure to world-class practices. He added that under the leadership of CM Mann, every effort is being made to revive Punjab’s lost sporting glory by providing both job opportunities and professional infrastructure for athletes.
He also highlighted that Punjab is the first state in India to offer financial assistance to players even before they compete internationally—a move that has already produced promising outcomes. With the rollout of modern rural sports grounds, Punjab is poised to achieve new milestones on both the national and international sports stage.
Sond expressed confidence that these initiatives will soon bear fruit, enabling Punjab’s youth to excel globally and bring pride to the state.