category Regional, mohali, , tags Regional, mohali, , DW BUREAU Mohali Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan s last event, Horse Riding Competition concluded, today, with the distribution of medals to the winners by the Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in the presence of Information and Public Relations Minister, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Dr Gurpreet Kaur (w o Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann). Describing the equestrian games as the last leg of the two month long gala events launched by the Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann on August 29 from Bathinda, Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer further said that the very name of the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan was also given by the Punjab CM last year before it s commencement in the state. He said that the main motive of the sports extravaganza was to create a sports culture among the state youth and we got succeeded in our endeavour. He said that this year the number of participants has surpassed the previous year. Last year, about three lakh players had participated in 29 sports events and this year about four lakh players have participated in 35 sports events. He said that the Horse Riding event was among the five new sports events included for the first time. The others were Ragbi, Cycling , Wushu, Volleyball and Shooting. The Sports Minister said that the Punjab Government would award a prize money of Rs 10,000 to first, 7000 to second and 5000 to third ranked winners. He said that as per the new sports policy of the state approved by the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, 58 participants of Asian and Para Asian games have been given Rs 8 lakh each for the first time in the sports history of the state. He said that the 32 Punjab Players have set new records in the 72 years history of Punjab by securing 8 Gold and 6 each of Silver and Bronze medals during the recently held Asian games. He said that in 1951, we had 15 medals when six Nations had participated in the Asian Games. This time, when 50 Nations participated, the Punjab players contributed to India s total tally with its 20 medals. The Sports Minister said that Horse Riding was initiated by our great Guru Sahibs as a war strategic martial art and we have been feeling blessed to have the legacy as a part of our sports culture in the state. He said the goal of the Punjab Government is to make Punjab number one in sports and to revive the another legacy of state to produce great players from this holy land of five rivers with a firm commitment to provide every facility to the budding players of Punjab by nurturing them in the upcoming sports nurseries. (editor dailyworld.in)