To give a fillip to the sports culture in the State, Punjab Government has decided to finalise the recruitment process of 125 world renowned Punjabi sportspersons. Besides, it has also announced Rs2 lakh grant to the sports associations affiliated with the Punjab Olympic Association (POA).
In another major decision, the POA would also organise Shaheed Bhagat Singh Punjab State Games, while the Punjab Government will host East Punjab and West Punjab Sports tourney this year.
The decisions were taken on Thursday during a meeting of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal with the office-bearers of Punjab Olympic Association.
Sukhbir, accompanied by Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Punjab Rural Development Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Finance Minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa, also emphasised the need to revamp the stadiums and sports infrastructure in the districts to ensure quality sports training.
He said that in East Punjab and West Punjab Sports tourney, matches of five traditional games would be organised across the State. For the same, directions were issued to the Sports Department to chalk out a roadmap in this regard so the event could be hosted as soon as possible.
Announcing that international sportspersons serving in various State departments under sports category will be brought in Punjab Institute of Sports, Sukhbir asked the Sports secretary to complete the process in this regard so that the efforts of State for promotion of sports could be accelerated.
He said that the vast experience and energy of these sportspersons could take the sports vision of State to new heights.
Meanwhile, Punjab Government on Thursday came to the rescue of ailing Olympian Hardyal Singh, who has been bed-ridden since couple of month due to some ailment. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal announced Rs2 lakh monetary assistance for the Olympian hero.
He asked the Sports secretary to release the monetary help for the treatment of great sports legend.
Singh played in 1956 Olympics, and had replaced Olympian Balbir Singh Senior after he received injuries during a hockey match. In that match, Singh scored five goals. In his Olympic career, Singh scored 19 goals and gave excellent performance.
“Assisting such legends is the primary and moral responsibility of ours, who brought laurels for our State and the nation,” Sukhbir said.