Punjab Institute of sports would be setup to provide coaching of international standard-Sukhbir Singh Badal

Punjab Institute of sports would be setup to provide coaching of international standard-Sukhbir Singh Badal

Quila Raipur, 15 February

"Punjab sports department is going to setup Punjab Institute of sports on the lines of National Institute of Sports (N.I.S.) to provide coaching and infrastructure of international standards to players of the state", announced Shiromani Akali Dal President, Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal while addressing the audience on the last and final day of Quila Raipur Games. He said that separate wings of proposed institute would be established in Majha, Malwa and Doaba. "On launching, coaching, infrastructure and other facilities would be available for 10-12 selected games to make the sports persons internationally competitive.", says Mr. Badal.
Mr. Deputy CM, who had also charge of sports department, while disclosing the schemes being framed by him said that their would be special budget for development of sports from next fiscal year and government will announce its sports policy till March end. He said that developing world class sports infrastructure, training and job opportunities for outstanding sports persons would be the part of sports policy. Mr. Badal said that to promote sports in rural areas grant of Rs one lakh would be given to each village panchayat for improving sports facilities. As many as 1200 villages had been selected to be covered under this programme in the first phase till March 2009.
Mr. badal said that besides other games sports department has been focusing on development of traditional sports of Punjab like Kabaddi and Hockey. He said that an international Kabbadi tournament. Mr. Badal said that prize money for winners would be 1 Crore, runners-up Rs.51 Lack and Rs. 25 Lack for second runners-up. He promised that one of the matches of this tournament would be played in Quila Raipur stadium.
Discussing initiatives taken by government to encourage hockey in the state Mr. Badal said four existing international hockey stadiums with latest astroturf facility would be upgraded besides constructing three state-of-art stadiums in the state. ''Everyday 10, 000 childrens from rural were bring there to watch four nation Punjab Gold Cup matches and total 80, 000 children wnjoyed the event during this 8 days hockey tournament. The objective of holding these international tournaments is to pound youth to encourage them to participate in these events'', says Mr. Badal. Badal also stated that the Punjab government would hold a Four Nation Women Hockey Tournament soon.
Deputy Chief Minister lauding the role of Quila Raipur games role in promoting the rural games at international level asks tournament organizers to plan out map for setting up a quality stadium there and promised that state government will provide every help they need. He announced Rs. 10 Lack grant for Sports Club Quila Raipur besides announcing the construction 0f sewerage system for the village. Meanwhile, Mr. Badal laid the foundation stone of widening the Jatauli Chowk to Quila Raipur stadium road from 10 feet to 18 feet at the cost of Rs. 30 Lack.
Among others MP Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, President Quila Raipur Sports festival Gurpinder Singh Grewal, Secretary Parmjeet Singh Grewal, Chief Organiser Sukhbir Singh Grewal, Ex Minister Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, General Secretary SAD Mann Singh Garcha, SGPC member Raghbir Singh Saharanmajra were also present on the occasion.Regards,
Harmeet Singh Dhillon