3-day Kila Raipur Rural Olympics to be organised from January 31

Sports lovers and sportspersons of the region have a reason to smile as the Punjab Government, which had brought the rural sports on its calendar of events last year, has announced to hold the second chapter of Rural Olympics, preparations for which have already been started at the sports stadium of Suhavia Patti at Kila Raipur.

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums Department has announced to host the three-day mega event to be inaugurated with colorful presentations of giddha, bhangra and daredevil events to be showcased by a group of Nihangs on January 31. 60m sprint by primary school boys and girls, heats for races in men and women categories, hockey in men and women categories, besides kabaddi matches will also be held on the opening day.

Trailers loading-unloading, slow cycling race, tyre lifting competition, sack race, acrobatic presentation, volleyball, semifinals of hockey, kabaddi circle style and athletics will be held on the second day on February 1. Races of veterans, tug of war, volleyball, shooting, kho kho and finals of all remaining events will be held on the concluding day on February 2.

The SDM (East), Ludhiana, Jasleen Bhullar, acknowledged that preparation for the three-day Rural Olympics being organised under the supervision of Minister of Rural Development and Panchayats, Tourism, Cultural Affairs, Industry and Commerce Investment Promotion Tarun Sond have already been started. Deputy Commissioner Jitender Jorwal will be supervising the smooth conduct of the event being held by the Punjab Government, said Bhullar.

Meanwhile, office-bearers and activists of Kila Raipur Sports Society, Suhavia Patti, led by its president Col Surinder Singh Grewal and general secretary Gurvinder Singh Grewal, while talking to a section of media, announced that the society and residents of the Kila Raipur would extend every support to the administration for organising the Rural Olympics.

It was for the first time last year that the Punjab Government had adopted these games on its calendar of events being organised during campaigns launched to revive cultural heritage and sports. But animal sports will not be held this year too.