Punjab to have sports policy

Kusum Arora

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 15

The state sports department would soon launch a sports policy to tap the potential of budding players at the grassroots level in villages. This was stated by Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD (Badal) president, during his visit to Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park, to distribute sports equipment to players of the state.

Addressing the media after the function, Sukhbir said that the implementation of the sports policy would not only give a boost to sports in the state but also help in making a name at the international level.

He said that apart from this the state government is seriously looking forward to introduce a comparative sports policy under which outstanding players would be given jobs in Punjab Police and other state-level departments. He said that in the future, the government would give handsome cash prizes to winners in Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games.

He further stated that two Astroturfs would also be laid at Jalandhar and Talwandi Sabo in the coming days. Besides this, seven six-a-side Astroturfs would also be laid in different parts of the state.

Sukhbir also promised that latest infrastructure would be installed shortly in all stadiums.

He also inaugurated the Punjab Hockey League (PHL) for boys under 12, 14, 16, 19 and girls under and above 15. “We would soon launch a kabbadi league on the lines of PHL in Punjab. This will have as many as eight to nine teams from Punjab, one from Canada and another from England,” he said.

On this occasion, the department honoured Gurbax Singh Sandhu, chief national coach boxing, N.I.S, Patiala, and Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Kumar with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh. Jitender Kumar and Akhil Kumar were awarded Rs 5 lakh each.

Meanwhile, the minister distributed sports kits to budding players who came from various districts of the state, which included Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Muktsar, Mansa, Sangrur and Barnala.

Punjab minister for sports and youth services Gulzar Singh Ranike said that the budget of the sports departments has been increased from Rs 9.5 crore to Rs 18.5 crore. “We have recruited 169 coaches and 76 supporting staff in various disciplines,” he added.