Punjab planning a handsome budget for sports: Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh, June 22, 2023: Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government has been planning to allocate a handsome budget for Sports in a mission to regain the old glory of the state in this field.

Addressing the audience and players during the Olympic Day celebrations organised by Hockey Chandigarh here at Sector 42 Hockey stadium, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Punjab Sports Minister Mr. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the youngest sports minister amongst the sports ministers of other states, and his team has been drafting a new sports policy aiming at developing sports culture and supporting the budding and champ sports persons and coaches from grassroots to international level. He said that the state has enormous sports talent which could be exploited only by providing them encouragement, adequate infrastructure and opportunities.

Remembering the old glory of Punjab in the game of Hockey, the Finance Minister mentioned the names of stalwart players like Balbir Singh, Udham Singh, Ajitpal Singh, Surinder Sodhi and Pargat Singh. He said that it is matter of pride for the state that 10 players including captain in Indian hockey team are from Punjab. Lauding the role being played by the Hockey Chandigarh in the promotion of the game, Mr. Harpal Singh Cheema announced a grant of Rs. 10 Lakh for it from his discretionary quota.

Karan Gilhotra, President, Hockey Chandigarh, thanked the Finance Minster for gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest. “It was always the endeavour of Hockey Chandigarh to encourage the players and will continue to promote the sport in a big way. It was indeed a moment of pride for the country, to see our players excelling in the last Olympics”, said Karan Gilhotra. Anil Vohra General Secretary Hockey Chandigarh, also spoke on the occasion.

Around 700 sports persons from different sports of Chandigarh along with their coaches were present to celebrate the Olympic Day. An exhibition hockey match was played between Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Chandigarh Federation of Hockey Association (CFHA-42) on this occasion. CFHA-42 won this match by 3-1.

On this Occasion, Hockey Chandigarh gave away branded hockey sticks to the upcoming & needy players of City Beautiful for the promotion of Sports Hockey our National Game. Olympians and International Players like Gagan Ajit Singh, Deepak Thakur, Dharamvir Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, and Joydeep Kaur were facilitated on this occasion.

Senior office bearers and members of Hockey Chandigarh like Pushvinderjit Singh, Sr. Vice President, Dr. Chander Shekhar, IPS Patron and others were present there.