Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
69th National School Games Inaugurated in Ludhiana; Over 1,000 Athletes Participate
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Tuesday formally inaugurated the 69th National School Games at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana, marking the beginning of a major national-level sporting event in the state. The Games, being held from January 6 to January 11, have brought together young athletes from across the country, reflecting Punjab’s growing role as a hub for school sports in India.
Students from all states and Union Territories, along with teams representing Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and Vidya Bharati schools, are participating in the event. Addressing the gathering, Harjot Singh Bains said that competitions during the Games will be organised in Judo Under-14 for boys and girls, Taekwondo Under-14 for boys and girls, and Gatka Under-19 for both categories. He informed that matches will be conducted at multiple venues across Ludhiana, including BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School, Shastri Nagar, Government Senior Secondary School, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Open Air Theatre at PAU.
Calling the hosting of the Games a proud moment for the state, the Education Minister said it was a matter of great honour for Punjab and Ludhiana to welcome around 1,000 sportspersons and more than 350 coaches from different parts of the country. He noted that participants have arrived from regions including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Andhra Pradesh and the North Eastern states.
Harjot Singh Bains said the district administration has made comprehensive arrangements to ensure the comfort and safety of all participants. Despite the cold weather, proper facilities for accommodation, food and transportation have been put in place. For security, PCR teams have been deployed and CCTV cameras installed at various playgrounds and competition venues.
Highlighting the Punjab government’s strong focus on sports infrastructure, the Education Minister said that the state, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is giving a major push to promoting sports culture. He stated that construction work on 3,100 playgrounds in villages and cities is underway at a war footing in the first phase, with the vision that every village in Punjab will have its own sports ground.
He also spoke about efforts to strengthen sports training in the state, saying that coaches are being recruited on a large scale for sports nurseries in disciplines such as boxing, hockey, kabaddi and other games. In addition, the diet allowance for players has been increased to help them train better and improve performance.
Referring to Punjab’s sports policy, Harjot Singh Bains said the state provides advance financial assistance to players selected for international events like the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships and the Olympics. Unlike other states where incentives are given after winning medals, Punjab supports its players in advance, a move that has already led to an increase in the number of medals won by athletes from the state.