Ludhiana, January 31:
Although there were events like Gatka (Traditional Sikh martial art), stunts by stuntmen (Baazigar), the villagers of Kila Raipur and other nearby villages missed the buzz at the famous Kila Raipur Games, also called Rural Olympics, which kicked off on Friday.
The villagers expressed their disappointment over the absence of sports involving animals, which once formed the heart of these games.
According to the villagers, one of the main attractions of these Kila Raipur Games was Bullock Cart race, which have not been conducted since 2014 after the Supreme Court banned these sports, holding them to be violative of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, (PCA), 1960.
Since then, this event at Kila Raipur, which started in the 1930s, has started losing its shine. Besides bullock cart races, other sports involving animals such as Dog race, Horse events, etc. are also not being conducted due to which the first day of the event witnessed a low footfall with most of the chairs found vacant at the stadium on Friday.
However, the district administration is expecting the footfall to increase on weekends. The other two days of this three-day event include some competitions such as — Tractor Loading/Unloading, Tyre Lifting and Tug of War. In addition to this, there are events like Tri-cycle race, Kabaddi circle style, Long Jump, Shotput, etc.
The festivities will continue with a musical performance by popular Punjabi singers. On Friday, Preet Harpal performed and on Saturday, the public will witness a performance by Virasat Sandhu followed by Kulwinder Billa on February 2.
Cabinet minister ensure resumption of Bullock Cart race and other sports involving animals in Kila Raipur
Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, who inaugurated the three day event here at Kila Raipur, announced that the state government will soon resume bullock cart races at this famous rural Olympics.
Last year, President Droupadi Murmu had given her assent to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2019, paving the way for the revival of bullock cart races and the use of animals in sports events.
“Very soon, the notification, in accordance with the laws and conditions outlined in the bill, will be issued by the government,” said Sond while adding that the state government is committed to restore sports glory.
Minister Sond also announced that the Punjab government has kept a substantial budget of Rs 75 lakh for organizing these historic games, which will significantly benefit sports and athletes in the state. He expressed optimism that the event will contribute positively to establishing a sports culture throughout Punjab, uncovering talent from every corner of the state.
Additionally, he mentioned that the government has also increased cash awards for athletes securing medals at the Olympics and other international competitions. Additionally, the annual Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan event has garnered an overwhelming response from the youth.
He praised the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, for making sufficient arrangements for both the event and its participants.