The Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Punjab, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi today said that the Punjab Government has decided to organize 'Global Kabbadi League' under Mission Tandarust Punjab from 14th October till 3rd November this year.Disclosing further in a press communiqué, the Sports Minister said that the main rationale behind holding the league is to exhort the youth to shun drugs. He also said that teams from National and International level would participate in the league. He also added that the matches would take place in Ludhiana and Jalandhar with the final being slated for Mohali.The minister also said that the league would be organized with the aid of sponsorship with no government expenditure. Branding the Kabaddi cups held by the previous regime as mere 'shows', he said that the global Kabaddi league is a mission. He further divulged that an organizing committee is being formed to ensure the smooth conduct of the league which would be held as per the government policy. Elaborating more, the minister said that the prize money to be given to the league winners would be decided soon as consultations regarding this are going on currently.
Reiterating his commitment to continue the heritage sporting extravaganza of 'Qila Raipur', Rana Sodhi said that the sports policy of the state would be implemented by next month. Under the new sports policy, giving relaxation to the special category players would be given due consideration after going through the rules and regulations. He also said that state level youth fests would be held during the month of November to connect the youth with the folk arts.Emphasizing the holding of sporting events of junior children in accordance with the sports calendar, Rana Sodhi said that the education department is sure to accord permissions to use the grounds of the primary, middle and the secondary schools of rural areas for coaching the players after school hours. The players from outside the concerned schools would also be eligible to avail coaching facility.