Bhagwant Mann Govt’s ‘Khed Kranti’ drives sporting resurgence in Punjab, state to host first-ever international hockey tournament with Hockey Asian Champions Trophy
After 40 years, Punjab has also been awarded hosting rights for National Badminton Championship Under-13: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Tournaments will be held in October-November at Mohali & Jalandhar grounds, with six teams including India participating: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Hosting these events will help establish Punjab as sports hub in country: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Asian Hockey Federation has also offered to organise Four Nation Hockey Tournament in Punjab every year: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Despite numerous achievements in hockey, Punjab had never been given opportunity to host international tournament earlier: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Previous govts had destroyed Punjab’s sports culture; we are bringing it back on track: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Punjab is only state in country to allocate ₹1791 crore for sports: CM bBhagwant Singh Mann
Punjab is first state in country to provide ₹15 lakh for Olympic preparation & ₹8 lakh for Asian Games preparation to players: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Our govt is awarding ₹1 crore each to every player who wins medal in Paralympics & Asian Games: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
Under ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’, 3,100 playgrounds & 3,000 gyms are being developed, and 17,000 sports kits are being distributed: CM Bhagwant Singh Mann
CHANDIGARH, 24 March 2026 (WISHAVWARTA);- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday presented the sports report card under the “Shandaar Char Saal Bhagwant Mann de naal” series, outlining how the AAP government’s ‘Khed Kranti’ (sports revolution) is fundamentally reshaping the sector. After presenting report cards on irrigation, health, and law and order, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted sports as the next frontier of reform, backed by concrete investments and on-ground expansion, including a jump in the sports budget from ₹350 crore to ₹1791 crore, increase in coaches from 500 to 2,458, and direct financial support of ₹15 lakh for Olympic preparation and ₹8 lakh for Asian Games athletes.
Detailing the scale of this push, the Chief Minister pointed to the development of 3,100 playgrounds, 3,000 gyms, distribution of 17,000 sports kits, and the rapid expansion of “Khedan Watan Punjab Dian”, where participation has grown from 1.5 lakh to 5 lakh players. He said this sustained, system-wide intervention is now delivering visible outcomes, with Punjab securing, for the first time in its history, the hosting rights for the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, along with the National Badminton Championship Under-13 after 40 years, marking the state’s emergence as a serious sports hub in the country.
Addressing a press conference, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Asian games will conclude on October 3-4 and the top six performing hockey teams will vie in this Asian games. For the first time Punjab has got the opportunity to hold this international event and it is a big achievement in the field of sports.” He added, “Apart from this another international event in the form of a four nation invitation tournament has been approved for the state which will give boost to hockey in the state.”
Highlighting the significance of the event, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Despite strong Punjabi representation, Punjab had never hosted a major hockey tournament until now. For the first time, Punjab will host the Asian Champions Trophy in October and it is Asia’s most prestigious hockey tournament.” He further stated, “Matches will be held at Balbir Singh Sr. Hockey Stadium and Surjit Hockey Stadium Jalandhar.”
The Chief Minister also announced the return of a major badminton event, stating, “After 40 years the state has also got national badminton championship to be held at Jalandhar. This tournament will be held for under 13 category and will ensure that the state gets impetus for overall development and sports.” Emphasising the government’s commitment, he added, “The state government is committed for giving impetus to the sports for channelising the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive direction.”
Underscoring Punjab’s deep-rooted sporting legacy, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab has produced several legendary sportspersons and the state shares a deep connection with sports for centuries.” He noted, “Our revered Sikh Gurus promoted not only spirituality but also physical fitness through sports. Sri Guru Angad Dev ji established a wrestling arena at Khadur Sahib and personally supervised physical training and wrestling, and Sri Guru Hargobind ji trained youth in horse riding and archery.”
He added, “Dashmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh mastered all forms of sports and martial arts of his time and even today traditional sports are showcased every year during Hola Mohalla at Sri Anandpur Sahib.”
Highlighting Punjab’s contribution to modern sports, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Captain of the Indian Hockey Team Harmanpreet Singh, Captain of India’s Australia tour squad Hardik Singh, Indian Men’s Cricket Team Captain Shubman Gill, Indian Women’s Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Indian Basketball Team Captain Palpreet Singh Brar, Indian Football Team Captain Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and recently Abhishek Sharma and Arshdeep Singh, who won the T20 World Cup, are all from Punjab.” He added, “All these players have brought laurels for the state and country and are inspiring the youth.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further said, “Indian Women’s Cricket Team won the ODI World Cup last year under Harmanpreet Kaur, with players like Amanjot Kaur and Harleen Deol.”
He added, “Hockey and Punjab are often considered inseparable and it is impossible to imagine Indian hockey without Punjabi players.” He stated, “More than 50 Punjabi hockey players have won Olympic medals and 10 Punjabi players have captained India in Olympic hockey.”
Citing historical achievements, the Chief Minister noted, “Balbir Singh Senior and Udham Singh won three Olympic gold medals each and Ajit Pal Singh led India to its only Hockey World Cup victory in 1975.”
He added, “Legends like Prithipal Singh, Surjit Singh, Harcharan Singh and Surinder Singh Sodhi emerged from Punjab, and villages like Sansarpur, Khusropur and Mithapur have produced over 20 Olympians.” He further said, “In Tokyo Olympics 2021, India won a bronze medal after 41 years, with 9 Punjabi players led by Manpreet Singh.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In Paris Olympics 2024, India again won bronze, with 10 Punjabi players where Harmanpreet Singh was captain and top scorer.”
Detailing the upcoming tournament, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Teams from India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and China will participate in this mega event.” He added, “Punjab will showcase its culture through Bhangra and Giddha before matches and this event will inspire youth participation in hockey.”
Highlighting policy interventions, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “To give impetus to sports a new sports policy was introduced in 2023.” He added, “It stipulates financial support for preparation including ₹15 lakh for Olympics and ₹8 lakh for Asian Games.”
He further stated, “In 2023 Asian Games, Punjab athletes won 20 medals, which is a historic record.” He added, “Olympic bronze medalists (Paris 2024) were awarded ₹1 crore each and Asian Games gold medalists also received ₹1 crore each.”
The Chief Minister stated, “Nine Olympic medalists were given PCS and DSP jobs and nearly ₹100 crore has been distributed as prize money in the last four years.” He added, “There is a historic increase in the sports budget with ₹1791 crore in 2026–27 which was only ₹350 crore in 2023–24.” He further said, “The number of coaches has been increased from 500 to 2458 and 324 new coaches have been recruited, while 48 accomplished players have been appointed as coaches.”
On grassroots engagement, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Khedan Watan Punjab Dian are being organised at block, district and state levels.” He added, “Participants aged 14 to 60 plus took part in these games and in 2023–24 around 3.5 lakh players participated, which rose to 5 lakh in 2024–25.” He further stated, “₹10 crore prize money is being given annually for 10,000 medal winners and ₹97.3 crore has been spent in three years.”
Calling sports a powerful social tool, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sports is the most lethal weapon against the menace of drugs in Punjab, due to which the Punjab Government is promoting sports.”
He added, “Due to strenuous efforts of the Punjab Government, Kila Raipur Sports Festival has been revived with bullock cart races through legislation in 2025 after 14 years.” He said, “These games are known as the ‘Mini Olympics’ of rural sports but no one had bothered for their revival earlier.”
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The AAP Government is laying major thrust on promotion of sports with 3100 playgrounds being developed at a cost of ₹1350 crore.” He added, “3000 gyms are being equipped with ultra modern equipment at a cost of ₹101.8 crore and 17,000 sports kits worth ₹50 crore have been distributed to players.”
He further stated, “Financial aid has been transferred to athletes and the daily diet allowance of training athletes has been increased from ₹240 to ₹480, with nutrition-based menus introduced at 13 Centres of Excellence.”
On infrastructure, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Hockey AstroTurf has been replaced in Mohali, Bathinda and Ludhiana and a new synthetic track has been constructed in Mohali at a cost of ₹9 crore.” He added, “In Sports Medicine Cadre, 113 posts have been created out of which 92 have been filled.” He further said, “Doctors and physiotherapists have been deployed across major cities including Amritsar, Patiala, Ludhiana and Bathinda.”
