12 November 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has said that investment in sports infrastructure is an important part of the state government’s efforts to keep young people away from drugs and encourage them to participate in healthy activities. The government is developing modern sports facilities in villages to provide youngsters with better opportunities to pursue sports and build careers in athletics.
On November 11, 2026, Mann inaugurated 1,000 newly constructed rural sports grounds under the ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ initiative at Shahpur village in the Amloh Assembly constituency of Fatehgarh Sahib district. With this latest inauguration, the total number of sports grounds dedicated to the public has reached 1,764 against the government’s target of developing 3,100 grounds across Punjab.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that providing quality sports infrastructure at the village level was essential to channelise the energy of young people in a positive direction. He stated that access to proper playgrounds, sports equipment and coaching facilities could encourage youngsters to focus on fitness, discipline and sporting achievements rather than falling into drug addiction.
1,000 New Sports Grounds Inaugurated Across Punjab
The inauguration of 1,000 additional sports grounds marks the third phase of the rural sports infrastructure initiative.
According to the Chief Minister, 255 sports grounds were dedicated during the first phase on May 4, 2026, followed by another 509 grounds on August 24. The latest phase added 1,000 more facilities, taking the total to 1,764.
The government has set a target of developing 3,100 ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ across the state. These facilities are intended to provide rural youngsters with access to sports infrastructure close to their homes.
Mann said the initiative was part of the government’s broader campaign, ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, aimed at addressing drug-related challenges in Punjab.
He emphasised that sports could provide young people with constructive opportunities, helping them develop discipline, confidence and teamwork while pursuing their interests in different sporting activities.
Modern Facilities at Village Playgrounds
The newly developed playgrounds are designed to accommodate multiple sports and fitness activities. The facilities include boundary fencing, walking tracks, separate toilets for men and women, storerooms for sports equipment and arrangements for maintaining green spaces.
According to details shared during the inauguration, the grounds will have six-foot-high chain-link fencing to improve safety and define the playing areas. Six-foot-wide walking tracks with footlights have also been included to allow residents to use the facilities for fitness and recreational activities.
The playgrounds will also have submersible pumps and hydrants for watering grass and plants. High-mast lighting arrangements are being provided at the grounds to improve visibility during evening hours.
Separate children’s play areas with swings, slides and ladder bars are also part of the development plan.
Selected playgrounds will feature six-lane, 400-metre running tracks to encourage athletics and running activities.
The facilities are expected to serve children, teenagers, sportspersons and other residents who want to participate in physical activities.
Sports Equipment for Football, Hockey and Cricket
The Punjab government is also focusing on providing sports equipment alongside infrastructure development.
The playgrounds are being equipped with facilities for popular games, including football, hockey, volleyball and cricket. The objective is to ensure that youngsters have access to the basic equipment required to practise and participate in sporting activities.
The Chief Minister said that sports kits would be made available to encourage rural talent and help young players improve their skills.
The equipment includes football and hockey goalposts, volleyball poles and nets, footballs, volleyballs and cricket kits. Football studs are also being provided to support players.
According to the announcement, football and volleyball coaches will provide free training at the sports grounds. This is intended to give youngsters an opportunity to learn from trained professionals without having to travel long distances to major sports centres.
The government believes that providing infrastructure, equipment and coaching together can help create a stronger sporting culture across rural Punjab.
Village Committees to Maintain Sports Facilities
The government has also outlined a maintenance system to ensure that the newly constructed playgrounds remain functional.
Gram Panchayats will be responsible for overseeing the maintenance of these facilities through dedicated village-level committees.
These committees will include the village Sarpanch, the president of the local youth club, the concerned Junior Engineer and the Panchayat Secretary. Each committee will also include a woman member or a sportsperson nominated by the Gram Panchayat.
The arrangement is intended to ensure local participation and accountability in the upkeep of the playgrounds.
Regular maintenance will be important to ensure that the facilities remain accessible and usable for young people over the long term.
Government Links Sports Development with Anti-Drug Campaign
Mann said that the development of sports infrastructure was an important component of the government’s efforts to address drug addiction in Punjab.
He maintained that young people needed access to opportunities that could help them use their time and energy productively. Sports, according to the Chief Minister, can encourage healthy lifestyles and provide a positive direction to youngsters.
The initiative is being implemented under the broader ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign.
The government has been focusing on village-level sports facilities as part of its approach to youth engagement. The aim is to make sports more accessible, particularly for youngsters living in rural areas where access to modern training facilities may be limited.
However, sports infrastructure is one part of the wider response to substance abuse, alongside prevention, awareness, treatment and enforcement measures.
Punjab Aims to Develop International Sporting Talent
The Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s ambition to strengthen its position in national and international sports.
Punjab has a long association with sports, particularly hockey, athletics, wrestling and other competitive disciplines. The state has produced several nationally and internationally recognised athletes.
Mann said that providing modern facilities in villages could help identify talented youngsters at an early stage and give them opportunities to develop their sporting abilities.
The government wants village playgrounds to become centres where children can train, participate in competitions and work towards higher-level sporting achievements.
The latest inauguration in Fatehgarh Sahib represents another step in the state’s plan to expand grassroots sports infrastructure.
With 1,764 grounds now inaugurated against the target of 3,100, the remaining development work will be important in determining how widely these facilities become available across Punjab.
The initiative is expected to support rural sports participation while contributing to the state’s wider efforts to promote fitness, youth development and awareness against drug addiction.