Punjab chalks out programme to make Sports Mission a success

The Punjab Sports Department has chalked out a comprehensive programme to ensure success of 'Tandarust Punjab Mission', recently launched by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

The state Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi on Wednesday  directed the officers and coaches of the department to plung headlong into the task of making the Mission resonate throughout the state.

“Competitions at the district as well as the state level are being held apart from organizing coaching camps for youth as per the directions of the Sports Minister. Sports clubs have been established for giving boost to sports and in a first, the sports wings for the students in the schools or colleges are beginning on time,” said the spokesperson.

A total of 4,000 players have been admitted in the sports wings of the schools while the trials for colleges’ sports wings are over and 1,500 players would be admitted soon, said the spokesperson.

Spokesperson said that the government is providing sports equipment, besides gym, to the youth in order to make them gain a strong foothold in sporting arena.

Giving priority to the infrastructural aspect to attract youth towards the sports, 10 stadiums and two shooting ranges are being renovated at a cost of Rs 32.90 crore.

Stadiums at block level are coming up to connect youth with the sporting field. The process with regard to the first Sports University of the state at Patiala is underway with classes scheduled to commence from the next session. Spokesperson said that cash prizes are being distributed to the players winning medals at the national and international level besides making 'Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awards', given on the pattern of National Sports Awards, an annual feature with increase in the prize money. “Not only this, but the Sports Department is also providing financial assistance to the emerging players. The District Olympic Associations and the District Sports Councils, which are now lying practically defunct, would also be revived to popularize sports culture amongst the children as well as the youth,” the spokesperson added.