Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Saturday said that reviving sports culture in the state has been the topmost priority of the state Government.
Punjab Government would ensure that the players who excelled in the field of sports would be encouraged by giving cash prizes. The state government would also formulate an effective policy to provide sports equipment besides healthy food/diet to the sportspersons, he said.
Hayer met the winners of Khelo India Games- 2022 and encouraged them at Punjab Bhawan. He exhorted sportspersons to work hard to make Punjab number one state in sports and said that Punjab government has been working hard to revive the sports culture in the state.
The Minister said that the annual budget for sports has been increased to Rs. 223 crore, which would give a great boost to promote sports, adding that under the policy of the state government, the winners of Gold Medal in Khelo India Games would be awarded Rs. 50,000, Silver Medal winners Rs. 30,000 and Bronze Medal winners will get Rs. 20,000.
Encouraging and motivating the players, he said, "Read the biographies of great players, keep moving forward with the goal set with determination." He cautioned the players to stay away from drugs and move forward with their natural strength and restrain from consuming any chemical powders or steroids to improve their performance.