Punjab is set to take a significant leap in promoting sports with the launch of 260 sports nurseries across the state next month. This initiative, spearheaded by the AAP Government, aimed at nurturing the young talent and revitalizing the state’s sports culture. The recruitment process for coaches has been completed, and the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will soon issue appointment letters to the selected coaches, marking the beginning of these nurseries.
The sports nurseries will be established in regions where specific sports are popular, aligning with the local talent pool. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Punjab Government to make the state a hub of sports excellence once again.
Punjab’s former Sports Minister and now Sangrur MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, announcing this development on Friday, highlighted that the government’s efforts are not limited to just launching these nurseries but also include providing stable employment opportunities for athletes.
Hayer revealed that Punjab would offer jobs to medal winners from the National, Asian, and Commonwealth Games, as well as those who have represented India in the Olympics since 2016. This initiative aims to support athletes who have brought glory to the state and the nation.
Criticizing the previous governments for their approach to sports employment, Hayer noted that jobs were often handed out only during election years. In contrast, the AAP Government has established a comprehensive sports policy, creating a cadre of 500 positions specifically for athletes. The policy clearly outlined the criteria for employment, ensuring that athletes who excel in their respective sports receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.
Punjab Government is also committed to fulfilling its promise of opening 1,000 sports nurseries across the state. This ambitious plan, which includes the installation of astroturfs in the Malwa region, aims to provide young athletes with the best possible training facilities. The government is actively recruiting coaches and support staff for these nurseries, ensuring that the athletes receive top-tier guidance.
Hayer also announced the launch of the third season of ‘Kheda Watan Punjab Dian’, which kicked off in Sangrur on Thursday. This season introduces three new sports — cycling, taekwondo, and baseball — and expands participation to athletes aged 70 and above. Cash prizes, which were previously awarded only to those under 40, will now be extended to older athletes as well.
In a first for India, Punjab will establish a dedicated Sports Medicine Cadre, consisting of 113 members, to provide professional medical support to athletes. Hayer emphasized that no other state has such a cadre, with Punjab setting a new standard for sports medicine and athlete care.
Since April 2022, the Mann Government has awarded Rs 88 crores in prize money to athletes, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to supporting sports talent in Punjab.
