With the new policy, Punjab will once again become a leader in sports

June 2, 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is deeply committed to the development of sports within the state. His philosophy is that if Punjab’s youth are to be rescued from the quagmire of drug addiction, a spirit of sportsmanship must be instilled in them.

To provide guidance and direction to the youth, dedicated ‘Youth Centers’ (Yuva Bhavans) must be established for them. The new sports policy mandates the creation of new sports grounds for the youth of Punjab, their rigorous training for athletic pursuits, and the provision of substantial prize money to encourage their participation in sports.

A recurring concern raised by athletes has been that, sooner or later—upon their retirement from active sports—there is often no provision for a secure livelihood. Consequently, the new policy incorporates provisions to address this critical issue as well.

The government has paid comprehensive attention to all these matters. A key feature of the emerging sports policy, as articulated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is the removal of individuals with political backgrounds from Punjab’s various sports associations. Furthermore, plans are underway to develop 3,100 sports grounds across Punjab to provide facilities for the youth to engage in sports.

The Chief Minister has stated that these sports grounds are targeted to be ready by the month of July. He also noted that the policy regarding the conferral of awards to athletes in Punjab has been revamped; the government has initiated a system of presenting awards with significantly higher monetary value. To date, 1,870 athletes have been honored with prize money totaling over Rs 32 crore. This figure includes 87 athletes who were conferred with the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award