THE NEWS FREEDOM
CHANDIGARH, FEBRUARY 28
Highlighting the government’s sustained efforts over the past two years, Punjab Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on Wednesday pointed to tangible achievements, notably during the Asian Games, where 32 Punjab athletes clinched 20 medals, breaking a 72-year-old record. “Under the new sports policy, substantial cash incentives have been allocated for athlete preparation. Notably, 58 athletes who represented Punjab at the Asian Games received Rs. 8 lakh each, and now, each Olympic-bound athlete will receive Rs. 15 lakh for their training,” he said.
During a keynote address at a ‘Sports Conclave’ organized by a leading sports magazine, the Punjab Sports Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant sports culture in the state. The event also saw the felicitation of distinguished figures such as World Cup-winning Hockey Olympian Brigadier Harcharan Singh and Junior Indian cricket team captain Uday Saharan.
He said that in addition to financial support, the government is establishing approximately 1000 sports nurseries, with 260 already operational in the first phase. Hayer emphasized the government’s focus on grassroots talent identification and development, with trials being conducted extensively and sports nurseries strategically located in areas where specific sports are popular. Furthermore, recognizing the achievements of medal-winning athletes, the government has created a separate cadre of 500 positions, ensuring job security for these athletes, he added. Hayer noted that a total of Rs. 74.96 crore has been disbursed to 24,164 Punjab sportsmen who have excelled at the state, national, and international levels within a span of less than two years.