Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today issued clear, time-bound instructions for renovation of sports infrastructure in Punjab during a high-level review meeting with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, directing officials to complete the work of 3,100 stadiums being built across the state at a cost of 1,350 crore by June 2026.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also launched a comprehensive package which includes setting up of state-of-the-art gyms at around 3,000 locations, distribution of 17,000 sports kits at a cost of Rs 50 crore, launch of a comprehensive sports portal and construction of a new Yuva Bhavan at a cost of Rs 43 crore. He said that the main objective of the government is to channelize the immense energy of the youth of Punjab in a positive direction and keep them away from the danger of drugs.
Presiding over a review meeting of the Sports and Youth Services Department here today, the Chief Minister said that according to the new sports policy 2023, these stadiums are being constructed in villages across the state. He said that Rs 1350 crore will be spent on these stadiums which include fencing, gates, jogging track, level playing field, trees, volleyball courts, stores and others. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the work of these stadiums should be completed within the stipulated time and also the quality of works should be ensured in all circumstances.
The Chief Minister said that state-of-the-art gyms will be set up at around 3000 places across the state to channelize the energy of the youth in a positive direction. He said that under the first phase, such state-of-the-art gyms will be established at a cost of Rs 35 crore at 1000 places across the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these gyms will include weight lifting sets, benches, dumbbell sets, kettlebell sets, racks, floor mats and many other state-of-the-art equipment.
The Chief Minister also said that 17000 sports kits will be distributed to the players at a cost of Rs 50 crore by the state government. He said that these kits will include volleyball and football (three volleyballs and footballs and two nets each), two bats for cricket, a wicket, six tennis balls. Bhagwant Singh Mann directed the officials to distribute 5600 sports kits in the villages by March 31, 2026.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that a comprehensive sports portal is being launched by the department. He said that sports lovers and players will be able to get registration of players, online grading, online DBT, conducting sports events, ground reservation, e-certificate, record results, pension/stipend and other facilities on one click. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that trekking, adventure, team activity camps will also be organized in nine forest areas of the state for 10,000 youth.
The chief minister said that the camps will be set up at Palanpur, Siswan, Mirzapur (Mohali), Tibba Taparia (Ropar), Nara (Hoshiarpur), and Harike Patan Rakh (Taran Taran) from the coming January. He also said that a new Yuva Bhavan will be constructed at Sector 42A at a cost of Rs 43 crore. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it will have hostel facilities for 200 youths, an auditorium with a capacity of 400 persons, a conference hall, seminar room and other facilities.
The Chief Minister said that the state government introduced the Sports Policy 2023 and increased the budget from Rs 350 crore in the year 2023-2024 to Rs 1000 crore for the year 2024-25. He said that hockey turfs are being replaced at Mohali, Bathinda and Ludhiana at a cost of Rs 10.50 crore and these have been approved by the Hockey Federation of India.
The Chief Minister also asked the authorities to complete the synthetic track work under construction at Mohali Sports Stadium Sector 78 at a cost of Rs 9 crore by March, 2026.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first state in the country to have sports medicine cadre. He said that 92 personnel have been selected for this cadre to take care of players suffering from injuries and improve their performance. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every effort of the state government is aimed at channelizing the immense energy of the youth in a positive direction so that they can be kept away from the danger of drugs.
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