CHANDIGARH, Nov. 27 — The Charan Ganga Stadium in Anandpur Sahib will undergo a complete renovation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Thursday, calling the project a major step in expanding sports infrastructure and preserving Sikh heritage.
“This renovation will turn Charan Ganga Stadium into a world-class facility and a major center for martial arts training for young people,” Mann said during the announcement.
Built on the sacred grounds where Guru Gobind Singh formed the Nihang Singh forces in 1701, the stadium remains central to Hola Mohalla traditions, where Nihang warriors perform martial arts and equestrian feats before thousands of visitors.
Officials said the upgraded complex will feature advanced training areas, modern galleries and infrastructure capable of hosting large-scale tournaments. Mann noted the site’s cultural importance and said the project aims to reconnect youth with traditional martial arts.
He added that the renovation aligns with the state’s push to strengthen sports facilities. Mann and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal have laid the foundation for more than 3,000 stadiums across Punjab under projects worth ₹1,184 crore. “When young people get the right environment, their energy moves in the right direction,” Mann said.
The Chief Minister said new international-standard cricket and hockey stadiums would soon be developed in Amritsar and Jalandhar. He linked the broader sports policy to the fight against drugs, saying “sports is one of the most effective ways to keep youth away from addiction.”
Under the Har Pind Khed Maidan scheme, the government aims to create a sports field in every village. The state has also elevated nine hockey players to DSP and PCS posts and honored Olympians and local athletes.
Mann said the Charan Ganga Stadium upgrade will protect the heritage of Anandpur Sahib while strengthening Punjab’s ambition to re-establish itself as the country’s sports capital.
