PATIALA, August 25 — In a major expansion of grassroots athletic infrastructure, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched 509 modern ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ from Patiala, taking the state’s total count of completed rural grounds to 764. The government has set a target to complete 3,100 such grounds this year as part of its strategy to promote physical fitness and combat drug addiction among rural youth.
“These Pendu Khed Maidan will make an effective contribution to the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign,” asserted Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. He declared that the playgrounds will give youngsters the message of ‘Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Sports’ while serving as beacons of hope and opportunity for emerging sportspersons.
The new facilities are spread across multiple districts, led by Ludhiana with 43 grounds, Mansa with 41, Sangrur with 36, Bathinda and Patiala with 34 each, Sri Muktsar Sahib with 33, and Amritsar with 32. Out of the state’s total Rs 1,744 crore sports allocation, Rs 1,500 crore is committed specifically to developing these village grounds. The program is supported by the rollout of 6,000 rural gyms, with 500 already opened.
Each ground features infrastructure tailored to local preferences, covering volleyball, football, and cricket alongside traditional games. The facilities carry modern additions such as high-mast lighting for night play, walking track footlights, perimeter fencing, and surrounding tree plantation drives. Village-specific sports kits are being distributed directly to local teams based on regional popularity.
“Sports were an integral part of Punjab’s proud legacy and rich heritage,” affirmed the Chief Minister. He stated that the 2023 Sports Policy has enhanced financial assistance, leading to job appointments for 11 national and international sportspersons as PCS/DSP officers, while 85 athletes have received the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award.
The state is gearing up for high-profile sporting events, starting with a state-level T20 cricket tournament at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, followed by the fourth edition of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ involving an estimated 10 lakh players. Additionally, Punjab will host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy across matches in Jalandhar and Mohali.
