Ludhiana, September 30
Around 1,500 participants, including officials, are expected to take part in the Punjab State Women Games to be organised by the Punjab Sports Department, which begin here at various venues tomorrow.
All arrangements for the smooth conduct of the three-day sports extravaganza have been completed and the players, accompanied by officials, have started reaching here.
In the evening, Mr Kartar Singh, Director Sports, Punjab, visited various venues of the games and the places where women players, officials and District Sports Officers of all districts will be putting up. He expressed satisfaction over the arrangements. He was accompanied by his OSD, Mr Rakesh Minhas.
Later, addressing a press conference, he said Mr Tej Parkash Singh, Transport Minister, Punjab, would declare the games open at 11 am tomorrow. Before the formal inauguration, a cultural programme would be presented by schoolchildren.
He said the accommodation arrangements for the players had been made at various women college hostels. The DSOs would be staying at the Parker House, Punjab Agricultural University, while officials would stay at the Speed Fund Academy hostels. A media centre with fax and the Internet facilities had been set up at the main venue, Guru Nanak Sports Complex, he said.
When asked about the expenditure to be incurred on these games and the grant the department had received from the state government, he said they had got only a meagre amount from the government and were arranging funds with their own resources.
Competition in athletics, hockey, kabaddi, basketball, badminton, gymnastics, handball, kho-kho and volleyball would be held during the meet. On the basis of players’ performance during these games, the state teams for the forthcoming National Women Games would be selected, he said.
Mr Jagmohan Singh Kang, Sports Minister, Punjab, would be the chief guest on the concluding day.
