With a view to promote sports culture in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today put forward an offer to the players that Punjab government would provide government jobs to those sportspersons who excel in sports on international level.The Deputy Chief Minister, who was the chief guest of fifth Kabaddi World Cup 2014 matches held here on Friday, said that state government would be amending its sports policy in the next cabinet meeting to provide jobs to sportspersons. He declared that traditional martial art Gatka would also become an affiliated sport in the next cabinet meeting.
Mr Badal also promised the Barnala residents that an ultra modern and much bigger stadium having all facilities would be constructed in the city by spending Rs 4 crore by next year. While addressing the audience, Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP government was working on an aggressive campaign to produce maximum number of trained sportspersons and to have more Punjabi players in the Indian contingent for coming Olympics.
The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the day was not far away when Kabbadi would also be included in Olympics as the state government were making persistent efforts in this regard. Likewise, he said that the state government was also duty bound to preserve the rich legacy of Hockey, besides other national sports.
He said that successful organisation of 4 editions of World Cup Kabbadi has encouraged the organisation of World Kabbadi leagues at national and international level which increased its fans and followers across the boundaries. Adding he said that it could easily be judged from the fact that Kabbadi teams from countries like Sweden and Azerbaijan were participating in this event for the first time. He expressed confidence that 5th World Cup Kabbadi would put this game to another higher orbit of glory and Punjab would realise its endeavour to include Kabbadi in Olympics.
Mr Badal said that for the first time this event is being held in the rural stadia’s so as to popularize this mother game of Punjab in every nook and corner of the state. Punjabi singer Pammi Bai enthralled the audience with his choicest numbers.Prominent among those present on the occasion included Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Industries Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, Rural Development Minister Sikandar Singh Malooka, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sant Balbir Singh Ghunas, vice chairman Punjab State Planning Board Rajinder Gupta, Director Sports Tajinder Singh Dhaliwal, Deputy Commissioner Gurloveleen Singh Sidhu, SSP Upinderjit Singh Ghuman, OSD to Deputy CM Paramjit Singh Sidhwan, former minister Gobind Singh Kanjla, Olympian and DSP Palwinder Singh Cheema.