Stadiums To Be Constructed at Cost of Rs 1350 crores
Chandigarh, December 24:
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed officials to complete the construction of 3,100 new stadiums across the state by June 2026 at a cost of ₹1,350 crore, as part of a major push to strengthen the sports infrastructure and channelize the energy of youth in a positive direction.
₹1,350 Crore Sports Infrastructure Overhaul
Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Department of Sports and Youth Services, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to implementing the New Sports Policy 2023 with focus on developing sports facilities at the grassroots level.
Each stadium will include fencing, a gated entry, jogging tracks, levelled playgrounds, trees, volleyball courts, and storage facilities. CM Mann instructed officials to ensure quality work and timely completion across all districts.
Ultra-Modern Gyms and 17,000 Sports Kits
The Chief Minister announced that ultra-modern gyms will be established at around 3,000 locations across Punjab to provide better fitness infrastructure for the youth. In the first phase, ₹35 crore will be spent to set up 1,000 gyms equipped with barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, benches, racks, and floor mats.
To encourage participation in sports, the state government will also distribute 17,000 sports kits worth ₹50 crore. Each kit will include volleyballs, footballs, nets, cricket bats, wickets, and balls. Out of these, 5,600 kits will be distributed in villages by March 31, 2026, officials were told.
New Sports Portal and Yuva Bhawan to Boost Facilities
CM Mann said Punjab is ready to launch a comprehensive Sports Portal that will integrate all key services like player registration, online gradation, DBT facility, event management, ground booking, and e-certificates. The portal will also support facilitation of sports pensions, scholarships, and adventure camps for the youth.
Adventure camps for 10,000 young participants will begin in January 2026 at locations including Pallanpur, Siswan, Mirzapur (Mohali), Tibba Tapria (Ropar), Nara (Hoshiarpur), and Harike Pattan Wetland (Tarn Taran).
In addition, the government will construct a new Yuva Bhawan in Sector 42-A, Chandigarh, at a cost of ₹43 crore. The building will include hostel facilities for 200 youth, an auditorium with 400 seats, and multiple conference and seminar halls.
Record Budget and Sports Medicine Cadre
CM Mann said the state’s sports budget has seen a major jump — from ₹350 crore in 2023–24 to ₹1,000 crore in 2024–25. Work is also underway to replace hockey turfs in Mohali, Bathinda, and Ludhiana at a cost of ₹10.5 crore, duly approved by the Indian Hockey Federation.
A Synthetic Track at Mohali Sports Stadium (Sector 78), costing ₹9 crore, will also be completed by March 2026.
Highlighting a key achievement, the Chief Minister said Punjab is the first state in India to create a Sports Medicine Cadre, with 92 personnel appointed to support athletes with injury management and performance training.
“Every effort of the Punjab government is aimed at channelizing the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction, thereby weaning them away from the menace of drugs,” Mann said.
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