Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced a cash prize of Rs 40 lakh for weightlifter Harjinder Kaur who bagged the bronze medal in the ongoing Commonwealth games at Birmingham (United Kingdom).
Congratulating Harjinder Kaur, he said that this budding player from village Mehas near Nabha has made the country proud by this rare feat. “The State Government will give cash prize worth Rs 40 lakh to her as per the Sports Policy of Punjab,” said Mann expressing hope that Harjinder’s achievement will inspire the other players, especially the girls, to excel in the fields of sports and bring laurels to the country.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is committed to encourage those who excel in the field of sports, and these players will be given cash prizes whenever they do well.
“Reviving sports culture in Punjab is the topmost priority of the state Government. Sports can act as a catalyst to wean the youth of State from the menace of drugs by channelizing their unbounded energy in a positive direction,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that the students in educational institutions will also be motivated to take up sports as a character building exercise. Mann said that Punjabis have a long association with sports as many sportspersons from the state have carved a niche for themselves in national and international events. “Concerted efforts will be made to ensure that Punjab soon becomes a frontrunner state in the field of sports across the country,” he added.