3-day Punjab State Rural Games begin today

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 14

The city is all set to organise three-day Punjab State Games for Girls under-14 starting Tuesday. As many as 3,200 players will participate in the games. This was stated by Assistant Director (Sports) Kartar Singh.

After reviewing the arrangements, he said 300 officials from all over the state had been deputed for the smooth conduct of the games. The opening ceremony will be held at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, where all the preparations are completed. The aim of the games was to catch budding players young under the Central Government scheme “Khelo India” and nurture them in various wings/academies and train them for competitions at different levels.

He said the competitions would be held at three places simultaneously — Bathinda, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Sangrur — to provide the best equipment and facilities to players. The games to be held in the city will include boxing, basketball, badminton, kabaddi (national style), kho-kho, football, handball, wrestling, judo, volleyball and table tennis. Swimming, hockey and gymnastics will be held at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, Sector 78, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and athletics and skating at War Heroes Stadium in Sangrur.

Kartar Singh said all the preparations like boarding and lodging, catering, medical, transportation and security arrangements have been completed. Bathinda Deputy Commissioner Parneet earlier convened meetings of the specialised committees constituted for various arrangements. These will look after all the issues regarding facilities to be provided to the players. Play fields have been made ready for the competitions and special emphasis has been given to accommodation for comfortable stay in view of winter as players will be accommodated in different schools where they will be provided proper bedding, good and healthy food by the department.

He said the players who would come to participate in the games had been selected by the department in November. He said Faridkot Divisional Commissioner Harjit Singh would be the chief guest. He would inaugurate the games at Multipurpose Sports Stadium on January 15 at 11.30 am.