Lovleen Bains

Sahnewal, December 10

Cabinet Minister Pargat Singh inaugurated a sports ground at Khakat village near Sahnewal today. The sports ground has come up with the efforts of Punjab Youth Development Board (PYDB) Chairman Sukhwinder Singh Bindra and has been constructed by Highway Industries Limited under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The minister said it was a joint initiative of the Punjab Youth Development Board and Highway Industries Limited and the playground was being prepared under the CSR funds for the betterment of youth and promotion of sports. It would be maintained by Highway Industries Limited.

He exhorted the youth to adopt at least one game of their choice so that their body and mind should remain healthy and fit to face challenges of life.

He said the government was making all-out efforts to promote sports in the state as these could play an important role in wiping out the curse of drugs. Besides creating a 400-m track on the newly inaugurated playground, games such as basketball, cricket, football, badminton, kho-kho and rope climbing would be practiced on it. He also exhorted the youth to come forward and support the state government for making Punjab no. 1 state in the country.

He said the state government was already making massive efforts to promote sports across the state by distributing free sports kits, organising tournaments, ensuring nutritious diets to players, appointment of coaches and building infrastructure.

While speaking on the occasion, Sukhwinder Singh Bindra thanked Umesh Munjal, Anmol Munjal and Ankur Munjal from Highway Industries Limited for developing this sports ground under the CSR funds.

He said soon, four more such sports grounds would be developed in other villages of the Sahnewal area. “The state government is committed to channelising the energy of youths in the right direction through the promotion of sports,” he said.

Bindra said the government was already ensuring a robust and top-notch sports infrastructure in the state to produce champions for national and international events.

He said the state government was also leaving no stone unturned to make the state a hub of sports in the country and asked the youth to play games with utmost dedication and hard work to excel in the arena of sports.

Senior Congress leader Satwinder Kaur Bitti, DEO Lakhvir Singh and a large number of local residents were among those others present.