Chandigarh: Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday issued clear, time-bound directions to revamp Punjab’s sports infrastructure, asking officials to complete 3,100 stadiums across the state by June 2026 at a cost of ₹1,350 crore. Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Sports and Youth Services Department, the Chief Minister said the stadiums are being constructed in villages in line with the New Sports Policy 2023 and will include fencing, gates, jogging tracks, levelled playgrounds, trees, volleyball courts, stores and other facilities, while ensuring strict quality standards.
The Chief Minister also unveiled a comprehensive sports and youth package aimed at channelising the energy of Punjab’s youth in a positive direction and keeping them away from drugs. The package includes setting up ultra-modern gyms at nearly 3,000 locations, with the first phase covering 1,000 gyms at a cost of ₹35 crore, and distribution of 17,000 sports kits worth ₹50 crore. He directed officials to ensure that 5,600 sports kits are distributed in villages by March 31, 2026, and announced the launch of a comprehensive sports portal offering online registration, DBT, event organisation, ground booking, e-certificates, results recording and scholarship or pension facilities at a single click.
Highlighting further initiatives, CM Mann said trekking, adventure and team activity camps would be organised for 10,000 youth in nine forest areas, while a new Yuva Bhawan would be constructed in Sector-42A at a cost of ₹43 crore with hostel, auditorium and conference facilities. He said the sports budget has been enhanced from ₹350 crore in 2023-24 to ₹1,000 crore in 2024-25, hockey turfs are being upgraded in Mohali, Bathinda and Ludhiana, and a synthetic track at Mohali Sports Stadium will be completed by March 2026. He added that Punjab is the first state to have a Sports Medicine Cadre, with 92 personnel selected to support injured players and improve their performance.
