Every block to get world-class stadium, says Sports Minister

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Barnala, February 21 

Sports and Youth Services Minister of Punjab Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi on Thursday said the state government was going to construct world-class sports stadiums in every block across the state. He said the aim of these stadiums was to nurture sports skills of the Punjabi youth.

He was here on Thursday to preside over the 59th annual sports meet of SD College Barnala.

However, government employees under the banner of Punjab State Ministerial Services Union protested near the college and raised slogans against the Punjab government for not “fulfilling” their long-pending demands. They alleged that even two years after the formation of the government in the state, they were yet to see any action to fulfil their demands.

The minister met a delegation of the union and assured them that their demands have been taken up seriously and soon the government would address their issues.

“The state government has decided to develop ‘greenfields’ in villages to prepare a much-needed nursery for various games. These ‘greenfields’ will be developed on the panchayat land,” said the minister.

Sodhi added that he had also directed officials of the Sports Department to prepare a detailed report of requirements of Barnala district and soon, the funds would be released for the development of sports infrastructure. He also announced a grant of Rs 2 lakh for the sports stadium of SD College.

“The state government has also identified 100 acres in Patiala to open a sports university which will also play a major role to boost games in the state. All colleges of physical education in Punjab will be affiliated to this university. The government has also enhanced the cash rewards upto Rs 1 crore for medal winners and has also reserved 3 per cent jobs for sportspersons in all government departments, boards and corporations,” said the state Sports Minister.

Former MLA Kewal Singh Dhillon also lauded the efforts of the Punjab Government and said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had always paid heed to the demands of Barnala district. 

He added that several development works were going on in the district and soon, many major projects would be announced for the betterment of residents.