In order to further break the backbone of drugs by fostering sporting culture in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and National Convener of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday embarked a major scheme to construct more than 3100 ultra modern stadiums across the state at a cost of Rs 1194 crore.
Addressing a massive gathering, the National Convener of AAP said that a project has been launched for channelizing the unbounded energy of youth of state in a positive manner. He said that for the health of the body and the fitness of the mind, the work to establish more than 3,100 new playgrounds across Punjab is being started today. Arvind Kejriwal said that these playgrounds will contribute significantly by further augmenting the campaigns “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” and “Rangla Punjab.”
The National Convener of AAP said that these stadiums will play an important role in helping the youth stay away from the curse of drugs and in realizing their dreams of winning medals in national and international sporting events. He said that for emerging sportspersons, these playgrounds will serve as guiding beacons adding that an amount of Rs 1,184 crore will be spent on these playgrounds. Arvind Kejriwal said that in the first phase, villages with larger populations have been selected, adding that these playgrounds will be built over areas ranging from half an acre to four acres.
The National Convener of AAP said that each playground will be developed according to the specific needs of different sports and facilities will be provided for volleyball, football, cricket, and another popular traditional sport for children and players. He said that for the elderly, various physical and recreational activities will also be arranged so that sports become an integral part of everyone’s life. Arvind Kejriwal said that these playgrounds will not only host sports but will also become symbols of community unity in the villages.
The National Convener of AAP said that just as a good school is essential for education, a proper playground helps a child bring glory to their village, state, and nation on the world stage. Arvind Kejriwal said that he was pleased that the state government has succeeded in providing world-class facilities for both education and sports. He said that before 2022, the budget for sports was only Rs 100 crore, whereas the current government has increased it to Rs 1,000 crore adding that to make Punjab the leading state in sports and to cultivate a sports culture, a new sports policy was introduced in 2023.
The National Convener of AAP said that the uniqueness of this policy lies in creating an environment for sports and granting cash rewards and government jobs to athletes. He said that under this new policy, each Punjabi athlete participating in the Olympics received Rs 15 lakh in advance for their preparation. Arvind Kejriwal said that seven players have been appointed as DSPs and four as PCS officers, including nine hockey players, one cricketer, and one athlete. He said that the state government initiated the “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan” games, successfully completing three seasons, with cash prizes distributed to the winners adding before 2022, only about 20,000 to 25,000 athletes participated in state-level games, whereas now the number has risen to five lakh (500,000) participants under “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan.”
The National Convener of AAP said that a war against drugs has been launched adding that previous governments left no stone unturned to ruin Punjab by patronizing drug trade adding that the condition of rehabilitation centers was pathetic earlier, but now we have improved them. He said that bulldozers are being used to demolish drug networks, and even encounters with drug traffickers have occurred. Arvind Kejriwal said that a senior political leader, once considered invincible, is now rotting in jail adding that people used to say no one could arrest him but we did this after which the unholy nexus of opposition parties was exposed.
Meanwhile, in his address the Chief Minister said that earlier, the basic infrastructure in sports fields was inadequate but now modern playgrounds will be made. He said that Punjab has made a major contribution in the field of sports and whenever the country’s flag is hoisted in international events, it is a matter of pride for everyone. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that four national teams are captained by Punjabis including Harmanpreet Kaur, Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Singh.
The Chief Minister said that today nine Punjabi players are members of the national hockey team which reflects how the state is excelling in the arena of sports. He said that the state government has created massive sporting infrastructure in the state owing to which three generations of the same family are now seen playing sports in Kheda Watan Punjab Dian. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government gives Rs 1 crore to gold medal winners, Rs 75 lakh to silver medal winners and Rs 50 lakh to Bronze medal winners in international games.
The Chief Minister said that the motive is to encourage the players adding that now, players are given rewards immediately. Citing an example, he said that each Punjabi player in the Indian hockey team was awarded Rs 1 crore for winning medals, so that other youth can be inspired to fulfill their dreams of winning medals. For the first time, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that cash rewards are being given promptly contrary to earlier times, when athletes had to wait a long time for the money.
Slamming the Badal family, the Chief Minister said that they enjoyed power for a long time and during their misrule, they used to squander money on film stars. He said that sports ministers earlier had no understanding of sports adding that political leaders had control over sports associations and enjoyed luxuries at government expense. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government has appointed 300 coaches adding that players preparing for international competitions are given Rs 8 lakh each.
The Chief Minister said that there is no lack of talent among our children due to which the state government is nurturing them to produce ace players in future. He said that Sports will also save children from the curse of drugs by channelizing their energy in a positive direction. Bhagwant Singh Mann reiterated that the state government will adopt no leniency towards the ‘Jarnails’ who were the perpetrators behind the genocide of youth through the curse of drugs.
The Chief Minister said that the Jarnails who had patronized the drug trade have already been put behind bars adding these leaders not only used to patronize drug trade across the state but ironically they even sold/ supplied the drugs in their official government vehicles. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in the past no one had previously dared to arrest these affluent leaders, but now his government has done so and they will have to pay the price for their sins. He said that when this Akali leader was arrested, the unholy nexus between the political parties was exposed as they cried for human rights violations and demanded special cells and facilities for the accused.
The Chief Minister said that the best solution to the war against drugs is sports, adding that our land is blessed as it produces ace sportsmen. He said that whichever sport thrives in a particular region, we will provide coaches and facilities there adding that experts will be appointed in every field. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is making concerted efforts to ensure development of Punjab in every sector.
On the occasion Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh, senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.
