Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave a major boost to grassroots sports by inaugurating more than 500 modern ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ across various districts from Patiala, taking the total number of dedicated grounds to 734. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government was developing 3,100 Pendu Khed Maidan across Punjab this year with a ₹1,744 crore sports budget, including ₹1,500 crore specifically for these grounds, alongside 600 rural gyms and greater financial support for sportspersons.
He said the initiative would provide rural youth with world-class sporting facilities while strengthening the government’s fight against drugs by promoting the message of ‘Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Sports’.
After dedicating the playgrounds in the second phase of the state government’s programme to develop 3,100 modern Pendu Khed Maidan across Punjab, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “With the objective of promoting sporting activity and providing world-class facilities at the grassroots level. After dedicating 255 Pendu Khed Maidan in the first phase, we are today dedicating another 509 Pendu Khed Maidan to the people. “A new Sports Policy was introduced in 2023, under which the sports budget has been increased and sportspersons were being provided cash awards and financial assistance for training and preparation. For the first time in the history of Punjab, a dedicated budget of ₹1,744 crore has been allocated exclusively for sports. Since 2022, ₹135 crore in prize money has been distributed to 40,415 sportspersons,” he noted.
Activities for children and senior citizens would also be organised so that sports and physical activity become an integral part of everyone’s life.
“These grounds would also become symbols of community harmony and togetherness in villages,” he added. The Chief Minister said that his government’s sports initiatives are aimed at creating a strong sporting ecosystem across Punjab, strengthening sporting culture at the grassroots level and providing young people with the facilities and opportunities needed to excel in sports. Punjab is working with the objective of creating a healthy body and a healthy mind. He noted that the Pendu Khed Maidan would provide facilities for volleyball, football, cricket and other popular traditional sports. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann pointed out that sports were an integral part of Punjab’s proud legacy and rich heritage.
