Punjab To Make Concerted Efforts For Inclusion Of More Punjabi Players In National Teams- Sukhbir Singh Badal

Rupnagar To Have One Ultramodern Floodlit Stadium

5 Dariya News

Rupnagar/Chandigarh 07-Dec-2012

The Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today said that the state sports department is all set to organize special camps for various sports like Football, Volleyball, Wrestling, Hockey and Athletics to ensure inclusion of Punjabi players in National teams representing country in international events.Addressing a mammoth gathering of Kabaddi fans thronged local Nehru Stadium to witness Kabaddi matches of 3rd world cup kabaddi, Mr. Badal said that the SAD-BJP government was fully committed to encourage sports in a big way to channelize the youth energy for sports thereby saving them from falling prey to drugs. He said that the state government has already implemented a sports policy aimed to create world class sports infrastructure besides taking number of initiative for the welfare of sports person. He said that the special camps would be organized under the supervision of expert coaches and former renowned players to increase the representation of Punjabi players in various national teams. He said that the state government had already constructed/renovated 14 multipurpose/hockey stadiums at the cost of Rs.200 crore and announced to construct a world class floodlit stadium in Rupnagar to give a big boost to the sports activities in the area. He said that he was overwhelmed by the encouraging response to the Kabaddi as more and more countries were vying for taking part in world cup Kabaddi. He said that his top most priority was to include Kabaddi in Common Wealth and Asian Games before making a claim for Olympic and he was quite confident that this target would be achieved with in next 6 years. He said that the prize money for women’s world cup Kabaddi would be further increased next year as more and more countries were coming forward to become the part of this sport.Earlier, Iran scripted the first major upset of 3rd world cup Kabaddi by defeating USA with a margin of 45-41 points and became the first team to qualify for semi finals. At the end of first half, both the teams were on the same footing with 21-21 points. Iran’s raider Mustafa Hussein scored, Syan got 7 points, whereas its stopper Ali Raza and Asgar Aizm bagged 5 and 3 points respectively. USA’s raider Inderdeep Singh, Baljinder Singh, Kanwar Sandh clinched 16, 5 and 3 points respectively, whereas its stopper Jaskaran, Sandeep Singh and Kulwinder Singh got 4, 3 and 2 points respectively.The first match of the day in Pool ‘D’ was played between Argentina and Kenya. Punjab Health Minister, Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal inaugurated the match by having introduction with the Players. Argentina beat Kenya with the margin of 55-42 and registered its first victory in the World Cup. At the end of first half, Argentina was leading with the difference of 28-21 points. Argentina’s raiders Yuri Mair, Alexandro and Evan got 17, 11 and 6 points respectively, whereas its stoppers Kristiyan and Sebba got 6 and 4 points respectively.The second match in the women category was played between USA and Malaysia. Mr. Mittal and Dr. Daljeet Singh Cheema had introduction with the players. Match was won by Malaysia with the difference of 47-18. USA’s team was leading at the end of first half with 23-9, but Malaysia’s team played splendid game in the second half and embraced the victory. Malaysia’s raider Manpreet Kaur, Parmajit Kaur and Amandeep Kaur scored 9, 8 and 8 points respectively, whereas its stoppers Mandeep Kaur, Rekha and Liza got 10, 7 and 3 points respectively. USA’s raider Guramrit Kaur scored 9 points whereas stopper Meena Devi and Babli Devi bagged 3 and 2 points respectively.Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Mr. Madan Mohan Mittal, Punjab Health Minister, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, MLA, Mr. Pargat Singh, MLA, Mrs. Satwant Kaur Sandhu, Former Minister, Mr. Amarjit Singh Chawla, Member SGPC, Mr. Amarjit Singh Satyal, President Municipal Council, Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon, Director Sports, Mr. Paramjit Singh Gill, IG Patiala Zone, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal and SSP Mr. Inder Mohan Singh.