Punjab to Build 3,100 Playgrounds as State Pushes Sports Culture: Minister Harjot Singh Bains
January 6, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday inaugurated the 69th National School Games at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana, marking the beginning of a major national-level sporting event aimed at strengthening school sports across the country. The Games, being held from January 6 to January 11, have brought together around 1,000 student-athletes and over 350 coaches from all states and Union Territories, including teams from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Vidya Bharati schools.
Addressing the gathering, Bains said the event was a matter of pride for both Punjab and Ludhiana. He stated that competitions would be organised in Judo Under-14 for boys and girls, Taekwondo Under-14 for boys and girls, and Gatka Under-19 for boys and girls. He added that the matches would be conducted at multiple venues across the city, including BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School in Shastri Nagar, Government Senior Secondary School, PAU Ludhiana, and the Open Air Theatre at PAU.
The Education Minister said the Punjab government had ensured comprehensive arrangements for all participants despite the cold weather. He informed that proper accommodation, food and transportation facilities had been arranged, while security had been strengthened through deployment of PCR teams and installation of CCTV cameras at playgrounds and venues.
Highlighting the state government’s focus on promoting sports culture, Bains said the Punjab government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was rapidly expanding sports infrastructure. He said construction of 3,100 playgrounds in villages and cities was underway in the first phase, with the aim of ensuring that every village in Punjab would have its own sports ground.
He further said the government was recruiting coaches on a large scale for sports nurseries in disciplines such as boxing, hockey and kabaddi, and had enhanced players’ diets to support better training and performance. Referring to Punjab’s sports policy, Bains said the state provided advance financial assistance to players selected for international events such as the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics, a move that had already resulted in an increase in medal wins for Punjab.
The minister also noted that Punjab was regaining its status as a leading sports state, citing the strong presence of Punjabi players in Indian cricket and hockey teams. Several dignitaries, including MLA Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Mayor Principal Inderjit Kaur, senior municipal officials and education and sports department officers, were present at the inauguration.
Punjab National School Games Harjot Singh Bains Ludhiana Sports Event Punjab Sports Policy School Games India Guru Nanak Stadium
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