Chandigarh: The historic Charan Ganga Stadium in Anandpur Sahib will soon get a brand new look. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced the renovation and upgrade of the existing Charan Ganga Stadium in the holy city of Anandpur Sahib. The stadium will be developed into a world-class facility to serve the millions of devotees who visit during the annual Hola Mohalla festival and sports enthusiasts. The Chief Minister said this stadium will become a major center for martial arts training for young people.
Charan Ganga Stadium is an important part of Sikh history and culture. This is the sacred site where in 1701, the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, established the Nihang Singh groups or ‘Guru’s beloved army’. Here, Guru Sahib trained Khalsa warriors in Gatka and other martial arts. Even today, during Hola Mohalla every year, Nihang Singhs perform spectacular displays of traditional martial arts here. Thousands of spectators come to watch exciting events like sword fighting, horse riding, and tent-pegging.
The Punjab government has assured that the stadium construction will be done perfectly. It will be equipped with world-class facilities where national and international level martial arts tournaments can be held. The stadium will have modern training facilities, spectator galleries, and other necessary infrastructure. This initiative is an important step toward connecting Punjab’s young generation with traditional martial arts and carrying forward Guru Sahib’s legacy.
The Punjab government is doing unprecedented work for sports development. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal have laid the foundation stone for over 3,000 sports stadiums across Punjab, with an investment of Rs 1,184 crore. This project has been started to strengthen sports infrastructure in rural areas and encourage young players.
Chief Minister Mann said that Punjab has given many great players to the country and the government’s goal is to bring back Punjab’s sporting glory. He announced that international-level cricket and hockey stadiums will soon be built in Amritsar and Jalandhar. He believes that when young people get the right facilities and environment, their energy will flow in a positive direction.
A key objective of the Punjab government’s sports policy is also to keep youth away from drugs. The Chief Minister said that sports is the strongest weapon in the fight against drugs. It is encouraging to see that Punjab’s youth are returning to sports fields in large numbers. The government has set a goal to build a sports field in every village under the ‘Har Pind Khed Maidan’ (Every Village Sports Field) scheme.
The Punjab government is also honoring players. Nine hockey players have been appointed as DSP and PCS officers, Olympians have been honored, and local players have been recognized for their contributions. This step is a great inspiration for young players.
The renovation of Charan Ganga Stadium is an important part of the Punjab government’s comprehensive sports development plan. This project will not only preserve the religious and cultural heritage of Anandpur Sahib but will also inspire youth to live healthy and disciplined lives by connecting them with martial arts and sports. The government is committed to making Punjab the sports capital of the country again and ensuring that its youth make their mark at national and international levels.
