‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ events kick off in Malerkotla

The district-level games under the ongoing 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan', were kicked off with enthusiasm and sportsmanship at Dr Zakir Hussain Stadium here today.

Assistant Commissioner Harbans Singh, Malerkotla MLA Jamil Ur Rehman and Amargarh legislator's brother Kulwant Singh Gajjanmajra chaired sessions during the inaugural day of the event.

Addressing the gathering, Rehman said the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was poised enough to identify and nurture the hidden talent among youths in general and students in particular by making the organisation of sports events a regular feature.

"As the Punjab Government is committed to make the state the best in sports, the government has decided to tep into the potential of sportsmanship among the youth by organising 'Khedan Wata Punjab Diyan," said Rehman. He said the state had produced and promoted several sportspersons of international acclaim since the constitution of the Aam Aadmi Party government in 2022.

The organisers said athletics, football, boxing, judo, wrestling, badminton, power-lifting, table tennis, chess, swimming, weightlifting, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball and basketball matches were being held at Government Senior Secondary School, Amargarh; Alfalah Public School, Malerkotla; Tara Convent Senior Secondary School, Gajjanmajra; The Town School, Ballewal; and Sita Grammar Public School Malerkotla, simultaneously.

Assistant Commissioner Harbans thanked the heads of various government and private schools for facilitating the organisation of the games at their institutions. He said senior functionaries at the Local Bodies Department, Health Department and administration had been directed to ensure security and safety of participants and spectators.