19 august 2024 : Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday felicitated eight hockey players from Punjab with a cash prize of Rs 1 crore each for winning the bronze medal in the recently concluded Paris Olympics. The CM also gave Rs 15 lakh each to 11 other sportspersons who participated in the Olympic Games.
In his address, the Chief Minister said it was an historic occasion as these sons of the soil who have brought laurels to the state and country were being honoured. He said these players have brought pride and satisfaction to the entire country with this momentous win, adding, that he had personally watched every hockey match of the team and the spectacular performance by these players made all feel proud.
The CM said he was elated to see the Indian team defeating Australia after a gap of 52 years, adding equally superb were the matches against Spain, England and others. He said winning a medal by the team was like a dream come true for every countryman and the best thing was that the team was led by Harmanpreet Singh, who steered the team to victory. Mann said his leadership capability was outstanding and it led to the team bagging a bronze medal in the Paris Olympics.
The CM said Indian hockey was on the path of revival, adding Punjab was mulling to hold a league tournament comprising four world-class teams in November.
Mann said as part of the state’s efforts to promote sports, the third edition of the Khedan Watan Punjab Dian will commence from August 28, which will act as a catalyst to promote sports in the state.
The Chief Minister said apart from giving cash prizes and jobs to medal winners, the state would also explore the feasibility of giving promotions in jobs already given to them.
On the occasion, captain of the Indian hockey squad Harmanpreet Singh lauded the CM for providing a congenial atmosphere for the promotion of sports. He said the felicitation by the state government to medal winners would go a long way in further boosting sports in the state.