DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said with the efforts of his government, the state would soon host several national and international sporting events to give impetus to sporting culture.

In his address at a function to felicitate the 1975 World Cup-winning hockey squad and present cash prizes to the winners of national and state-level games, the Chief Minister said he has raised this matter on several platforms and now it has started producing desired results.

"Punjab will soon host four national hockey leagues. Likewise, several other prestigious events will also be organised to give a boost to sporting culture in Punjab," he said.

Mann said in order to wean away youth from the menace of drugs, playgrounds and gyms will be opened in every village of the state.

The Chief Minister said the government is working on a campaign to produce a maximum number of trained sportspersons and to have more Punjabi players in the Indian contingent for international events.

He stressed that Punjab has abundant sports talent and the government would not leave any stone unturned to enable the players to participate and win medals for India in the international arena.

He said Punjab has become the first state in the country to provide funds to players to prepare for international events.

The Chief Minister said Punjab and sports have a strong bond, due to which Punjabi players always prove their mettle in the games.

The youth have an inherent talent, but the successive governments have failed to provide the requisite infrastructure, he said, asserting that now the players are being provided with state-of-the-art infrastructure and world-class facilities.

The Chief Minister said the government is committed to restoring the pristine glory of the state in the field of sports, and no stone is being left unturned for it.

He said it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that eight players in the Indian team of 1975 hockey were from Punjab, and the coach of the team, along with the manager, were also from the state.

The Chief Minister said the 1975 World Cup was a proud moment for the country as it was one and only won by India. He bemoaned that the earlier government had never bothered about sports and players, but his government has laid due focus on it so that players get appreciation and youth get inspiration from them.

The Chief Minister said that Punjabis have always excelled in the field of sports and this function is a recognition of their hard work, perseverance and dedication. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned for promotion of sports in Punjab, so that more and more players bring medals in national and international events. He said that Sports nurseries are being set up in Punjab to channelize the unbounded energy of the youth in the state.

The Chief Minister said that promotion of sports culture can be the most effective tool in the state government's crusade against drugs due to which Punjab is leaving no stone unturned for this. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that the youth who are involved in sports have no time even to look at drugs because they are using their all might to excel in their respective fields. He further said that the Khedan Watan Punjab Dian is organized by the state government every year, which is a right step towards providing a platform to the players for showcasing their talent.

The Chief Minister asserted that these games help the state government to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the players which are beneficial for grooming them for the national and international events in future. He further said that the state government is leaving no stone unturned to popularize sports in the state as it can play a key role in progress of the state and prosperity of its people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is a moment of glory for all of us that a galaxy of players has attended this historic event today.

(editor@dailyworld.in)