Reviving Pb’s sports culture: From village grounds to Olympic podium

September 28, 2026

As a resident of a spirited state, I wish to share what sports mean to me, to Punjab and to Punjabis. Beyond being an agrarian state, Punjab has long been a land of warriors and heroes. Hard work, sweat and sacrifice are equally integral to agriculture and sports, and remain hallmarks of our identity and character.

Revitalising Punjab’s sports culture was one of my top priorities upon assuming office as Chief Minister. That is why I decided to retain the Sports Department under the direct supervision of the Chief Minister’s Office. We have much to be proud of when it comes to our sporting achievements.

Before outlining our plans to further strengthen Punjab’s contribution to India’s Olympic medal tally, I would like to thank the residents of Mohali, Patiala and Bathinda for their enthusiastic participation in the recent marathon series. More than 20,000 runners from different age groups participated in the Bathinda marathon, bringing pride to the city and the state. We plan to organise more such marathons across Punjab in the coming months.

Punjab’s sports culture is rooted at the grassroots, from the traditional Rural Olympics to the ongoing ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’. A key focus of our initiative is to identify, nurture and celebrate sporting talent across 38 disciplines in every village and city of Punjab. Before 2022, the state had not witnessed an initiative of this scale. Previous governments, in my view, did not provide adequate infrastructure and support systems to nurture the sporting talent present in our villages and towns.

Champions cannot be created merely by organising competitions. A child needs a playing field, a coach for guidance, proper equipment and opportunities to participate in competitions. We are working to create precisely such an ecosystem.

The Punjab government is committed to producing world-class athletes. In the last five Olympic Games, India’s highest medal tally did not exceed seven. As Chief Minister, I will do everything within my power to ensure that Punjabis make a significantly larger contribution to India’s medal tally at the 2036 Olympic Games. I want to see Punjabis win at least three to four gold medals for India at the 2036 Olympics.

Punjab’s contribution to Indian sports has already been significant. Athletes from the state continue to represent the country across several disciplines, including cricket, hockey, basketball and football. At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, athletes from Punjab won 20 medals for India, comprising eight gold, six silver and six bronze medals. This was Punjab’s best-ever performance in the 72-year history of the Asian Games. These achievements reflect the depth of sporting talent in the state. Our task now is to provide the facilities, coaching and opportunities needed to take this talent to greater heights.

Since 2022, we have invested significantly in sports infrastructure, with the aim of providing quality stadiums, sports facilities and playing fields not only in major cities and towns but also at the district and village levels.

We are developing 3,000 modern rural sports grounds equipped with laser-levelled pitches, chain-link fencing, floodlights, jogging tracks and facilities for various sports. We are also providing standard sports kits for football, volleyball, cricket and other disciplines so that young players have the necessary equipment for training.

To promote physical fitness and sports training across generations, we are establishing indoor gyms in villages throughout Punjab. Once these sports grounds and gyms are completed, we will extend the initiative to another 3,000 villages and continue the effort until every village in Punjab is covered.

Our annual sporting events, including ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’, are important steps towards achieving this objective. Children in villages deserve opportunities to participate in competitions, showcase their talent and compete at higher levels. Rural Olympics and ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ provide an important foundation for developing a strong sporting culture in Punjab.

We also see sports as an important part of Punjab’s fight against drugs. Participation in sporting activities channels the energy of young people in a constructive direction. Sports grounds are not merely places for practice and competition; they are spaces where young people can remain active, build discipline and develop a sense of teamwork and purpose.

Punjab has long been known as a nursery of sporting talent in India. Our youth possess the energy, determination and skills to carry this legacy forward. To realise this potential, we need to provide them with the right infrastructure, quality coaching and meaningful opportunities.

Our vision is to build a sporting ecosystem that begins in Punjab’s villages and reaches the highest international platforms. From village grounds to the Olympic podium, we are committed to creating pathways through which the state’s young talent can fulfil its potential and contribute to India’s sporting success.

*- Abhishek Vij