At a massive gathering in Zira, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann welcomed Gurpreet Singh Sekhon into the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) along with thousands of his supporters, saying the overwhelming public response reflects people’s growing faith in politics of performance over the empty rhetoric of traditional parties. He said the AAP Government is working day and night for Punjab’s welfare, delivering 1,100 Mohalla Clinics, daytime power supply and canal water for farmers, while providing zero electricity bills to 90% of households.

Taking a sharp dig at the Akali Dal and Congress, the Chief Minister said the opposition has no vision for Punjab beyond abusing him, with the Akali Dal reduced to barely a handful of people despite once claiming it could rule for 25 years, while Rahul Gandhi’s efforts to unite a Congress consumed by internal conflict have yielded no results. He asserted that for him, politics is solely a means to serve the people and he is discharging that responsibility with complete honesty and commitment.

Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “At a massive gathering held in Zira today, Gurpreet Sekhonn ji joined the AAP family along with thousands of his supporters. We warmly welcome him into the party. The massive turnout of people on this occasion is a clear indication that people are fed up with the exploitation by traditional political parties and now prefer only politics of performance and development.”

“Our government has provided major relief to the common people by establishing 1,100 Mohalla Clinics, ensuring uninterrupted daytime power supply to farmers, and making electricity bills zero for 90% of households. Our efforts for the progress and prosperity of Punjab and Punjabis will continue with the same commitment. Inquilab Zindabad,” the post concluded.

Welcoming Gurpreet Singh Sekhonn and thousands of his supporters into the AAP, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Whenever a person enters public life with a genuine intention to serve the people, the people themselves recognise that commitment and give that person immense love and support. I warmly welcome Gurpreet Singh Sekhonn and all his supporters into the AAP family. Their joining reflects the growing faith of people in the policies and development-oriented governance of the AAP Government in Punjab.”

He said that people were increasingly moving away from traditional politics and choosing a political movement that puts public welfare and development above personal interests. “People are now looking for politics that delivers, politics that works for them and politics that remains connected with their everyday problems. The AAP is a movement of ordinary people and grassroots workers. Our politics is not about political families or inherited positions, but about serving the people and improving their lives,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, “For me, politics is a means to serve the people. I entered public life with the intention of working for the common man and I am carrying out this responsibility with complete honesty and dedication. I am leaving no stone unturned in serving Punjab and its people.”

The Chief Minister said, “Our government is working day and night for the welfare of the people of Punjab. We are working to ensure better healthcare, reliable facilities for farmers, quality education, improved public services and development across the state. The transformation is visible on the ground and Punjab is moving forward in every sphere.”

“Today, around 1,100 Aam Aadmi Clinics have been established across Punjab. The objective is simple: no poor person should be deprived of healthcare merely because he cannot afford it. People should get quality healthcare close to their homes without having to bear unnecessary financial burdens,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He said the AAP government has also taken significant steps to address the concerns of the farming community by providing electricity for agricultural purposes during the daytime and canal water for irrigation. “Farmers are getting electricity during the daytime for agriculture and they are also getting canal water for irrigation. This gives our farmers greater convenience and safety and can also help reduce dependence on groundwater. Our farmers are the backbone of Punjab and their welfare remains a priority for our government,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Every single penny of the state exchequer belongs to the people and we are using it judiciously for their welfare. More than 90% of households in Punjab are getting free electricity, while farmers are getting daytime power. People’s tax money is coming back to the people through development, schools, hospitals, roads and infrastructure.”

He said the government has provided jobs to more than 70,000 youth without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas resulting in savings of ₹70 lakh daily, strengthened education and healthcare infrastructure and undertaken development works in villages. He added that 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed across the state to provide better opportunities to youth and help wean them away from the menace of drugs.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government had also launched the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, under which every resident family of Punjab is being provided cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh. “The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna is a historic initiative through which every resident family of Punjab is being provided cashless medical treatment up to ₹10 lakh. Punjab has become the first state in the country to offer such comprehensive healthcare coverage. The aim is to ensure that no family has to worry about its financial condition when a loved one needs treatment,” he said.

He further said that under the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, every woman beneficiary above the age of 18 years is receiving financial assistance of ₹1,000 for women and ₹1,500 for SC women from July 1. He said the assistance is being directly transferred into bank accounts and women already receiving social security pensions would also be eligible. Around 97 per cent of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from the scheme, for which ₹9,300 crore has been allocated in the budget.

Taking on the opposition parties, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Akali Dal and Congress had failed to present any constructive vision for Punjab. “The Akali Dal and Congress have no vision for Punjab apart from abusing me. They should tell the people what their vision is for employment, education, healthcare, agriculture and the economic future of Punjab. Instead of talking about these issues, they remain busy criticising me and the government,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the people of Punjab deserved politics based on performance and accountability rather than personal attacks. “People of Punjab can clearly distinguish between those who only make promises and those who actually work on the ground. The best answer to political criticism is development that people can see and public services that people can experience. We believe in the politics of performance and accountability,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Taking a sharp dig at the Akali Dal, he said that the party’s present condition was a reflection of the people’s rejection of its politics. “The Akali Dal used to claim that it had the strength to rule Punjab for 25 years. Today, it does not even have five people left for its committees. This is the power of the people and democracy. People have rejected the politics of arrogance,” he said.

Targeting the Congress over its internal differences, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the party had been unable to overcome factionalism despite repeated efforts to bring its leaders together. “Congress itself is a victim of internal conflict. Its leaders are busy fighting among themselves for the lust of power. Rahul Gandhi has made repeated efforts to bring them together, but those efforts have not produced any meaningful result. A party whose leaders are constantly fighting among themselves cannot effectively serve the people,” he said.

He said that Punjab needed political parties that remained focused on public issues rather than internal power struggles. “The people are watching everything. They want leaders who work for them, not leaders who remain occupied with their own internal battles. Punjab needs politics that focuses on the future of its people and not on internal fights for power,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the large gathering in Zira and the joining of thousands of supporters with the AAP demonstrated that people were seeking a political alternative based on performance and public service. He said the joining of Gurpreet Singh Sekhonn and his supporters would further strengthen the party organisation in the area.

“Joining a political party is not merely about occupying a position. It is about accepting the responsibility of serving society. People have placed their trust in you and you have to repay that trust through your work. I welcome everyone who has joined the AAP and urge you to remain connected with the people, listen to their problems and work at the grassroots level,” he said.

The Chief Minister said, “Our youth have tremendous talent and energy. We want to create opportunities in Punjab so that our young people can build their future here. Development must reach every village, town and city and every section of society must benefit from it. We do not believe in politics based on caste, religion or regional divisions. We are working for every resident of Punjab.”

He said that Punjab had immense potential and could regain its leading position in the country if its resources and human talent were utilised effectively. “Punjab has always shown courage, resilience and a strong spirit of enterprise. With the collective support of the people, Punjab can regain its leading position in the country. We will continue to work with honesty, transparency and dedication and will not be distracted by political criticism,” he said.

Calling upon AAP karyakartas to remain united and disciplined, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every worker should treat the problems of ordinary people as their own. “The strength of the AAP lies in its workers and the people. Every worker must remain united, disciplined and committed to public service. Treat the problems of ordinary people as your own and work collectively to resolve them. The trust that people have placed in us can only be repaid through consistent performance,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the journey of transforming Punjab is continuing and the government would keep taking decisions in the larger interest of the people. “People have given us the opportunity to serve Punjab and we are fulfilling that responsibility with complete honesty. The people have the final say in a democracy. Their trust cannot be earned through slogans; it can only be earned through consistent performance and dedicated service,” he said.

The Punjab Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Sunday strongly condemned yet another instance of the BJP-led Central Government bypassing Punjab’s constitutional rights and established procedure. Taking serious exception to the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court without awaiting the views of the Punjab Government, the Cabinet resolved that the appointment and administration of oath should be put on hold until Punjab’s views are obtained and duly considered.

Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated: “Today, the Punjab Cabinet unanimously passed an important resolution against the continued assault on Punjab’s rights by the Central Government and the violation of constitutional norms. Appointing the new Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court without obtaining the consent of the State Government is a direct violation of the prescribed procedures (Memorandum of Procedure) and constitutional norms. The Centre withholding our Rs 9,000 crore RDF funds and flood relief package, changing the BBMB rules, and now directly interfering in judicial appointments will not be tolerated. We demand that this appointment be immediately put on hold and that, in accordance with the constitutional process, the views of the State be accorded due respect. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Disclosing this, the Chief Minister’s Office stated, “The rights of the State of Punjab have been violated by the Union government for a long time. In recent times, the interference from the Centre has increased to an unprecedented extent wherein the rights of the States of Punjab as enshrined under the Constitution of India and several rules/regulations have been denied on multiple occasions.”

The Chief Minister’s Office stated, “The Union unanimously altered the rules of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) by removing the traditional convention that guaranteed the Member (Power) was selected from Punjab, thereby diluting the State’s representation over its own river waters and dams. Further, the Union has proposed centralization of the Punjab University which was strongly opposed by the State of Punjab but the Union has continued its interference to overpower the stronghold and Authority of the People of Punjab by misusing its authority.”

The Punjab Cabinet pointed out, “The BJP-led Central government has also denied over ₹9,000 Crores of RDF dues to the Government of Punjab, thereby inflicting great pain and suffering on the farmers who are the beneficiaries of the infrastructure sought to be created through RDF funds. Similarly, the Union through the Prime Minister announced a relief package of ₹1,600 Crore after the devastating floods in 2025, however, not a single rupee of this package has been disbursed to Punjab till date.”

Pointing to the most recent Notification dated 05.09.2026, the Punjab Cabinet noted, “The Ministry of Law & Justice, Government of India, the President of India passed an order appointing Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This appointment has been made without obtaining the consent of the State government thereby bypassing all Constitutional norms and set procedures.”

The Cabinet stated, “The ‘Memorandum of Procedure for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of High Court’, in its Para 6, clearly indicates that after receipt of the recommendation of the Chief Justice of India, the Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs would obtain the views of the concerned State Government. After receipt of the views of the State Government, the Union Minister of Law, Justice and Company Affairs, will submit proposals to the Prime Minister, who will then advise the President as to the selection.”

The Chief Minister’s Office noted, “As posted on 25th July, 2026 by Press Information Bureau, Government of India, in a reply to a Question appearing in Lok Sabha, the Union Minister for Law, Justice and Company Affairs informed the House that appointment of Judges in the higher judiciary is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the Executive and Judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from various constitutional authorities, both at the State and Central level.”

“In the instant case, the Collegium of the Supreme Court of India vide minutes dated 06th August, 2026 have recommended the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Acting Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On 12th August, 2026 the State of Punjab received the letter from Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State for Law & Justice, for the consent of the State of Punjab in terms of Para 6 of the ‘Memorandum showing the procedure for appointment and transfer of Chief Justices and Judges of the High Court’,” it added.

The Cabinet pointed out, “However, in complete disregard to the Memorandum of Procedures and established Constitutional norms, the Union has hurriedly notified the appointment of the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court without awaiting response of the State Government.”

It added, “It is pertinent to note that no clear time limit is prescribed for the State and the Governor to send its recommendation in the case of appointment of the Chief Justice.”

“Whereas, in the year 2024, when a judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia, was recommended by the Collegium of the Supreme Court of India for his appointment as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh High Court, the same proposal was not notified by the Ministry of Law and Justice for more than two months and understandably on not receiving the recommendation from the Madhya Pradesh State Government. Later on, the Collegium and the Ministry of Law and Justice changed his appointment to Himachal Pradesh High Court. As such, the feeling of perceived discrimination gets solidified in the sense that when a case of a Judge of the State of Punjab is to be considered, it is dealt differently as that in a case of another Judge from another High Court getting appointed in the State of Punjab,” it stated.

The Cabinet affirmed, “Such actions on the part of Central Government especially on the issue of crucial appointments in judiciary has compelled the State Cabinet to deliberate and express its concerns over the persistent issues affecting the State’s constitutional rights and equitable treatment within the Indian federal framework. In order to ensure transparency, procedural propriety and the maintenance of judicial uprightness, it is therefore imperative that the aforesaid appointment and administration of oath be put on hold until the views of the State of Punjab, as contemplated under Paragraph 6 of the aforesaid Memorandum, are obtained and duly considered by the competent authority. Thereafter, the matter may be proceeded with in accordance with the procedure prescribed under the said Memorandum. “

Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday strongly objected to the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court without consultation with the Punjab Government, saying the manner in which the appointment was made raised serious questions about the Centre’s respect for Punjab’s constitutional rights and the federal structure of the country. He was accompanied by AAP leader Taranpreet Singh Sunny.

Addressing a press conference in Jalandhar, Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the Punjab Government had not been given an opportunity to present its views before the appointment was finalised. “The manner in which this appointment has been made raises serious questions about the Centre’s respect for Punjab’s constitutional rights and the federal structure of the country. The Punjab Government was not given an opportunity to present its views before the appointment was finalised,” he added.

The Minister said the matter was particularly serious because the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP) governing such appointments provides for the views of the concerned State Government to be considered. “Both the communication from the Governor of Punjab to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann dated August 12, 2026, and the communication from Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal referred to the relevant procedure,” he added.

“Despite the procedure clearly requiring the State’s views to be taken into consideration, the Punjab Government’s consultation wasn’t taken before the appointment of the Chief Justice. This is not merely an issue concerning an appointment; it is an issue concerning the rights of Punjab and the constitutional federal structure,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

He also questioned the Centre’s handling of the earlier recommendation concerning Justice G.S. Sandhawalia, who was then the senior-most judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “The Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Sandhawalia’s appointment as Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in July 2024, but the appointment remained pending for more than two months before he was subsequently appointed Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court,” he pointed out.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “I want to ask why Justice G.S. Sandhawalia’s appointment as Chief Justice of Madhya Pradesh was delayed despite the Collegium’s recommendation, while the appointment of Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court was processed without consulting the Punjab Government.”

“This raises a fundamental question: if the State’s views are part of the prescribed procedure, why was Punjab’s elected government not consulted? The Chief Minister represents the mandate of three crore Punjabis. Ignoring the elected State Government is an insult not only to the Chief Minister but also to the people of Punjab,” he said.

The Minister said, “The issue required an immediate discussion by the Punjab Cabinet. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has convened an emergency Cabinet meeting at 4 PM on Sunday to deliberate on the matter.”

Calling the appointment a serious issue concerning the rights of the State, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated, “The Constitution establishes a federal structure in which both the Centre and States have clearly defined powers. The Centre cannot repeatedly interfere in the rights of the States. Punjab Government will strongly raise its voice against any attempt to undermine its constitutional rights and the federal structure.”

Punjab’s flagship sporting initiative, ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’, began from Bathinda on Saturday, with CM Bhagwant Singh Mann setting an ambitious vision of taking Punjab’s sporting talent to the global stage. The fourth season will bring nearly 10 lakh players aged 14 to over 70 years into 39 sporting disciplines, including four para-sports, while connecting generations and nurturing talent from villages and cities across the state. The event will conclude in Patiala on November 29, with ₹12.50 crore in prize money for winners, including cash awards for veteran players for the first time.

On the occasion, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also honoured Commonwealth Games-2026 silver medallists Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh with ₹50 lakh each, reaffirming the state government’s commitment to building a strong sporting ecosystem and providing Punjab’s youth with opportunities to excel.

The fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’ began with great fervour and enthusiasm at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, Bathinda, celebrating Punjab’s rich sporting and cultural spirit. The opening ceremony featured vibrant cultural performances, including Bhangra and Giddha, showcasing the state’s rich heritage and its deep-rooted connection with sports. Legendary Punjabi artist Gurdas Maan, and Kulwinder Billa also performed at the ceremony, adding to the grandeur and festive atmosphere of the mega sporting event.

The celebrations were further marked by a symbolic moment as CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and legendary Gurdas Maan jointly released colourful balloons into the sky, formally commemorating the beginning of the fourth season. The ceremony brought together Punjab’s sporting passion, cultural heritage and youthful energy in a vibrant celebration.

Sharing a few snippets from this event, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, the fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’ was grandly inaugurated at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda. This year, the target is to bring around 10 lakh players onto the playing fields across 39 sports. Prize money of ₹12.50 crore has been earmarked for the winners, and for the first time, veteran players will also receive cash prizes. From the same platform today, Commonwealth Games-2026 medal winners Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh were honoured with prize money of ₹50 lakh each. Our campaign to steer Punjab’s youth away from drugs and towards sports, and to make the state number one in sports once again, continues unabated. Inquilab Zindabad.”

Announcing the Games open at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We are known for our valour, enterprise and sporting spirit, due to which we have always excelled in every field. These Games aim at channelising this spirit and providing our youth with a platform to excel in sports.”

The Chief Minister said the fourth season of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ commenced from Bathinda today, while the Games Torch, which embarked on its journey from Sangrur on August 12, also reached Bathinda. “This year, the target is to involve around 10 lakh players across the state, thereby channelising the unbounded energy of the youth towards sports and other positive pursuits. Players from nine age groups, ranging from 14 years to above 70 years, will participate in the Games,” he added.

He said a total of 39 sports disciplines will be held this year, along with four para-sports, including athletics, powerlifting, badminton and wheelchair basketball. “For the first time, tennis-ball cricket for boys and girls has also been included as a demonstration sport. The Chief Minister said the Games will conclude in Patiala on November 29,” stated the Chief Minister.

“Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is the best platform for identifying, nurturing and polishing hidden sporting talent from every corner of Punjab’s villages and cities,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, adding that the state government is committed to preparing children for competitions at national and international levels.

The Chief Minister said a special feature of these Games is that they bring together different generations. He said that in previous editions, three generations of the same family, including a grandfather, his son and grandson, had participated together. “In the Yudh Nashean Virudh campaign, sports are our strongest and most effective weapon,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ has now become a mass movement aimed at making the youth healthy, disciplined, confident and strong. “The sole aim of this endeavour is to connect the youth of Punjab with sports and make Punjab a frontrunner in games,” he said, adding that his government is leaving no stone unturned to promote sports and ensure that the youth benefit from these opportunities.

The Chief Minister announced that a total prize money of ₹12.50 crore will be distributed among the winning athletes. For the first time, veteran athletes will also be felicitated with cash prizes. “State-level gold medal winners will receive ₹10,000, silver medal winners ₹7,000 and bronze medal winners ₹5,000. Medal-winning athletes up to 40 years of age will also receive grading certificates, enabling them to avail the benefits of the sports quota in government jobs,” he added.

Highlighting the success of the previous editions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out ₹25.51 crore in prize money had been distributed during the first three seasons. In Season I, held in 2022, around 3.50 lakh players participated, 9,688 players won medals and ₹6.88 crore was distributed as prize money. In Season II in 2023, around four lakh players participated, 12,500 players won medals and ₹8.87 crore was distributed.

He said Season III, held in 2024, saw around 4.35 lakh players participate, with 14,500 players winning medals and ₹9.76 crore being distributed as prize money. However, the Games could not be organised in 2025 due to floods. “This year, Punjab is once again witnessing these Games in an even bigger way,” he said.

Listing the achievements of the Sports Department, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, a budget of ₹1,744 crore has been earmarked exclusively for sports.” He said that since 2022, prize money amounting to ₹135 crore had been distributed among 40,415 athletes.

The Chief Minister stated, “Under the New Sports Policy, financial assistance is also being provided to athletes for preparation for major competitions. ₹15 lakh is being provided for Olympic preparation and ₹8 lakh for preparation for the Asian and Commonwealth Games. So far, ₹15 crore has been distributed to athletes for training and preparation.”

The Chief Minister said that earlier, 20 athletes from Punjab who participated in the Paris Olympics were awarded ₹9.80 crore in prize money. “Each of the eight Punjabi players in the Indian hockey team that won the bronze medal was awarded ₹1 crore, while 11 athletes who brought laurels to Punjab at the national and international level were appointed as PCS/DSP officers,” he added.

He said Punjab athletes won 20 medals at the Asian Games-2023 and ₹30 crore in prize money was distributed among 33 medal-winning athletes. “Likewise, 85 athletes were honoured with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, while two national-level medal-winning athletes were appointed as coaches and 42 as junior coaches,” he added.

On sports infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said 3,148 ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ (rural sports grounds) are being developed across the state, of which 750 have already been inaugurated. “6,000 gyms are being established, with 500 already dedicated to the people in the first phase. ₹12.50 crore had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of 9,501 athletes for purchasing sports equipment,” he added.

“Punjab has made an unparalleled contribution to Indian sports over the last several decades, both at the national and international levels,” affirmed CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

He pointed out that Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, Indian men’s cricket team captain Shubman Gill, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Indian basketball team captain Palpreet Singh Brar are all from Punjab. “Eight players from Punjab, including the captain, are part of the Indian team for the Hockey World Cup, while 27 Punjabi athletes participated in the Asian Games-2026,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that for the first time since Independence, Punjab will host the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, with matches scheduled to be held in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November. “The people of Punjab will get the opportunity to watch their hockey stars play on their home soil,” he said.

Expressing confidence in the sporting potential of Punjab, Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the next 10 years, at the 2036 Olympics, Punjab’s players will win more than 10 medals for India.” The Chief Minister said his government is creating the necessary infrastructure and support systems to nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level and provide players with better opportunities to excel.

Making a fervent appeal to parents across Punjab, the Chief Minister urged them to encourage their children to take up sports. “It is not necessary for every child to win a medal, but sports will certainly provide children with fitness, discipline, self-confidence, team spirit and the courage to move forward in life,” he said.

Earlier, ace players Gurpreet Singh (Athletics), Rupinder Pal Singh (Hockey), Lovepreet Singh (Weightlifting), Harjinder Kaur (Weightlifting), Avtar Singh (Judo), Simranjeet Singh (Hockey), Avneet Kaur (Shooting) and Gurjant Singh (Hockey) participated in the Torch ceremony. World Championship medal winner Parneet Kaur (Archery) administered the oath to the players, while Asian Games medal winner Charanjeet Singh led the flag march.

Cabinet Ministers Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Tarunpreet Singh Sond and Hardeep Singh Mundian, Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.