CM Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurates ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ developed across various districts of Punjab from Patiala

August 24, 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday inaugurated 509 modern ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ across the state from Patiala, taking the number of dedicated rural sports grounds completed so far to 764.

The initiative is aimed at taking quality sporting infrastructure to villages, encouraging youngsters to pursue sports and strengthening the state’s campaign against drug abuse through the message ‘Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Sports’.

₹1,500 Crore Allocated for 3,100 Rural Playgrounds

The Punjab Government plans to develop 3,100 modern Pendu Khed Maidan across the state during the year, with ₹1,500 crore earmarked specifically for the project.

Of the 509 grounds inaugurated in the second phase, 43 are in Ludhiana, 41 in Mansa, 36 in Sangrur, 34 each in Bathinda and Patiala, 33 in Sri Muktsar Sahib and 32 in Amritsar, with the remaining facilities spread across other districts.
The first phase had witnessed the dedication of 255 playgrounds.

Modern Facilities to Transform Village Sports

The new grounds are being equipped with facilities designed to support both organised sports and everyday physical activity. The infrastructure includes high-mast lighting, footlights along walking tracks, chain-link fencing, football goalposts, volleyball poles
and children’s swings.

Plantation work is also being undertaken around the grounds to create greener and healthier community spaces.

According to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh, sports equipment will be provided based on the sporting preferences of individual villages. Villages where cricket is popular, for instance, will receive cricket kits, while equipment for other sports will be supplied
according to local demand.

Sports Positioned as a Weapon Against Drugs

Mann said the rural playground programme would contribute to the government’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign by giving young people constructive opportunities to participate in sports.

He said access to good playgrounds can help channel the energy of rural youth towards physical activity while creating opportunities for emerging athletes.

The grounds are also expected to serve as community spaces where children, young people and senior citizens can participate in recreational and fitness activities.

Punjab Declares 2026 the Year of Sports

The Chief Minister said Punjab has dedicated 2026 to sports and sportspersons, with the government working to expand infrastructure and financial support.

Along with the 3,100 rural playgrounds, the government is also working on rural gyms, with 500 gyms already inaugurated, according to Mann.

He said the broader objective is to create an environment where children have access to both quality education and sports facilities from an early age.

₹1,744 Crore Sports Budget Announced

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh highlighted the state’s dedicated sports spending, stating that ₹1,744 crore has been allocated for sports, including ₹1,500 crore for the Pendu Khed Maidan initiative.

The government has also increased financial assistance for athletes under its sports policy. Since 2022, the state has distributed ₹135 crore in prize money to 40,415 sportspersons, while athletes preparing for major international competitions are also receiving financial support.

More Assistance for Olympic and Commonwealth Aspirants

Under the state’s sports support framework, athletes preparing for the Olympic Games can receive up to ₹15 lakh for preparation, while those preparing for the Asian and Commonwealth Games can receive up to ₹8 lakh.

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh also said 85 sportspersons had been honoured with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award.
Eleven athletes who achieved distinction at national and international levels have also been appointed to positions including PCS and DSP, according to the government.

‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ Season 4 to Begin in September

The fourth edition of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ is scheduled to begin from Bathinda on September 5. The event is expected to attract around 10 lakh participants, giving athletes from different age groups and parts of the state an opportunity to compete.

The government sees the sporting festival as another platform for promoting mass participation and identifying emerging talent.

Punjab to Host Major Hockey Tournament

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh also highlighted Punjab’s growing role as a host for major sporting events. For the first time, Punjab is set to host the Hockey Asian Champions Trophy, with matches scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November.

The Chief Minister said the tournament would allow people in Punjab to watch leading hockey players compete on home ground.
A T20 cricket league is also being organised in the state, with matches scheduled at the PCA Stadium in Mohali from August 30 to September 13.

Building a Sporting Culture from the Village Level

The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh said Punjab’s sporting identity is deeply connected with its cultural heritage and rural communities.

The government’s focus on playgrounds, gyms, competitions, athlete support and major sporting events is intended to create a stronger sports ecosystem across the state.