Chandigarh, August 30 : AAP senior spokesperson and MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer praised the Mann government of
Punjab for successfully reviving the state’s sports culture and for implementing an excellent new sports policy. Hayer said that the main objective of sports policy and tournaments like Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is to make Punjab no. 1 state in sports again and to promote sports culture among people of all ages.
3rd Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is currently underway
Addressing the media, along with senior spokesperson and chairman Neel Garg, at the party office on Friday, Hayer highlighted that the 3rd Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is currently underway.This year, they introduced three new sports—cycling, baseball, and taekwondo—along with the inclusion of para-athletics, para-powerlifting, and para-badminton for the first time. He emphasized that the event expands each year, adding more players and games. Previously limited to eight age categories, the inclusion of the 70+ age group has now increased the total to nine.
Hayer announced the expansion of cash prizes to winners in the 40-50, 50-60, 60-70, and 70+ age categories, moving beyond the previous limit of 40 years.. Medal winners up to age 40 will receive a total of approximately Rs. 9 crore, while the 1,221 medal winners in the above-40 categories will share Rs. 90 lakh in cash prizes.
sports culture : Sports Medicine Cadre announcing
The AAP leader announced that Punjab is set to become the first state to establish a Sports Medicine Cadre, and also briefed the media on the details. . He explained that this cadre will consist of 113 members, with Group A and B each having 16 posts, Group C comprising 80 posts, and Group D having 1 post. Hayer noted that no other state has a dedicated sports medicine cadre; instead, they typically hire people on a contract basis or lack such facilities altogether. In contrast, the Punjab government has officially notified the formation of an organised Sports Medicine Cadre.
sports culture : New sports policy will insure jobs to national and international players of Punjab
Hayer further emphasized that Punjab is implementing the new sports policy, which will soon demonstrate its success. This policy guarantees jobs for all national and international players from Punjab.. Players who have been active since January 1, 2016, can apply for these positions.
He emphasized the Mann government’s commitment to providing employment opportunities to players neglected during the Akali and Congress administrations. Additionally, they are developing sports nurseries in Punjab based on local talent and the popularity of specific sports. For the first time, they are installing astroturfs in the Malwa region and recruiting coaches and other staff for these nurseries.
MP Sangrur stated that from April 2022 to the present, the
Mann government of Punjab has awarded Rs. 88 crores to players. In the 2022 Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan, prize money amounted to Rs. 6.85 crores, which increased to Rs. 8.87 crores in 2023. Additionally, Rs. 12.50 crores were awarded to Punjab’s Paris Olympians. Players from the 2023 Asian Games, 2022 Commonwealth Games, and national events also received cash prizes.
Meet Hayer highlighted that Punjab is unique in providing financial support to players before competitions, enabling them to better prepare for international events. Olympic athletes were awarded Rs. 25 lakhs each, and para-Olympians from Punjab also received Rs. 25 lakhs each.
