At a high level review of the Sports and Youth Services Department held on Wednesday, Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann issued clear, time bound directions to overhaul Punjab’s sports infrastructure, asking officers to complete 3,100 stadiums across the state by June 2026 at a cost of ₹1,350 crore. The Chief Minister also rolled out a sweeping package that includes ultra modern gyms at nearly 3,000 locations, distribution of 17,000 sports kits worth ₹50 crore, launch of a comprehensive sports portal, and construction of a new Yuva Bhawan at a cost of ₹43 crore, stressing that the government’s central objective is to channel the vast energy of Punjab’s youth into productive, disciplined pursuits and pull them away from the menace of drugs.
Chairing a review meeting of the Sports and Youth Services department on Wednesday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that in consonance with the New Sports Policy 2023 these stadiums are being constructed in the villages across Punjab. “₹1350 crore will be spent on these stadiums with fence, gate, jogging tracks, leveled playground, Trees, Volleyball court, Store and others.
The work on these stadiums should be completed within the stipulated time frame adding that quality work should be ensured by all means,” he asserted. The Chief Minister said that ultra modern gyms will be set up at around 3,000 locations across the state to channelize the energy of youth in a positive direction.
“In the first phase ₹35 crore will be spent on setting up such ultra modern gyms in 1000 locations across the state. These gyms will have ultra modern equipment like barbell, weight lifting Sets, benches, dumbbell sets, kettlebell Sets, racks, floor mats and others at all locations,” he highlighted.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann also said that 17,000 Sports Kits for players will be distributed by the state government at a cost of ₹50 crore. “These kits will have Volleyball and Football (three balls and two nets each), Cricket (two Bats, Wickets, six Tennis balls) at every location.”
The Chief Minister asked the officers to ensure that 5,600 sports kits are distributed in the villages by March 31, 2026. He also said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that the Department is all set to launch a comprehensive Sports Portal.
“The sports lovers and sportspersons will be able to get facilities like registry of Players, Online Gradation, Online DBT, organizing Sports Events, ground Reservation, e-Certificates, recording Results, pension / Scholarship and others on a single click. Trekking, adventure, team Activity Camps will also be organized in the state's nine Forest Areas for 10,000 youth,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that from coming January, camps will be held at Pallanpur, Siswan, Mirzapur (Mohali), Tibba Tapria (Ropar), Nara (Hoshiarpur), and Harike Pattan Wetland (Tarn Taran). “A New Yuva Bhawan will come up in Sector 42 A, at a cost of ₹43 crore. This will have hostel facilities for 200 youth, auditorium with capacity of 400, a conference hall, seminar room and others,” he added.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the Punjab government has introduced Sports Policy 2023 and enhanced the budget from ₹350 crore in 2023-2024 to ₹1,000 Crore in 2024-25. “Hockey Turfs are being replaced at Mohali, Bathinda and Ludhiana by spending ₹10.50 crore and have been duly approved by Indian Hockey Federation,” he said.
The Chief Minister also asked the officers to complete work on a new under construction Synthetic Track at a cost of ₹9 crore in Mohali Sports Stadium Sector 78 by March, 2026. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that Punjab is the first state in the country to have a Sports Medicine Cadre.
“92 personnel have been selected in cadre, to attend the players with injuries and to improve their performance. Every effort of the Punjab government is aimed at channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive direction thereby weaning them away from the menace of drugs,” he added.