Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday reviewed preparations for the fourth edition of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan-2026 and directed officials to make foolproof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the state's flagship sporting event.
Chairing a high-level meeting, Mann said the games will commence on September 5 at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda and are expected to witness participation from nearly 10 lakh players. The tournament will feature 38 sports disciplines along with four para-sports — Athletics, Powerlifting, Badminton and Wheelchair Basketball.
Chief Minister said Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan has emerged as an effective platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from villages, towns and cities across the state. He noted that athletes from nine age categories, ranging from 14 years to above 70 years, will compete in this year's edition.
Sharing details of the review meeting on social media platform X, Mann said the Punjab government is continuously working to connect youth with sports and restore the state's sporting legacy. He also announced attractive cash rewards for state-level medal winners.
To encourage wider participation, the Sports Department has introduced a QR-code-based registration system for the first time. Players can register free of cost through the Punjab Sports Portal, making the process quicker and more accessible.
Chief Minister urged young athletes and sports enthusiasts to register in large numbers and take part in the event. He said the games are aimed at preparing Punjab's youth for national and international competitions while promoting a culture of sports across the state.
For the first time, Tennis Ball Cricket for both boys and girls has been included as a demonstration sport, offering additional opportunities for young players to showcase their talent.
The competitions will be held across all 153 blocks of Punjab, while district-level events will take place in all 23 districts. State-level competitions will be organised in 16 districts before the games conclude in Patiala on November 29.
State-level medal winners will receive cash prizes of ₹10,000 for gold, ₹7,000 for silver and ₹5,000 for bronze medals. Senior officials, including Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Ravi Bhagat and Secretary Sports Varun Roojam, attended the review meeting.
