SUKHBIR PROMISES IT TO BE AN ANNUAL SHOW
* 20 DISTRICTS VIE FOR A GOLDEN POT OF RS. 2.31 CRORE
* AKSHAY KUMAR MESMERIZES AUDIENCE OF HIS HOME LAND
Chandigarh/Ludhiana, Feb 28 (Bharatsandesh news): Punjab today scripted a new chapter in the history of sports by organizing the highest ever prize money inter district tournament, a move to wean away youth from intoxicants and encouraging them to adopt sports as a career.
As Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal declared the biggest ever sports extravaganza, the sky of the Manchester of Asia, Ludhiana lit with sparkling fire works. The glitter of the show became blinding as bollywood star Akshay Kumar, who has agreed to become Ambassador of Shaheed – e – Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games, mesmerized the jam packed audience in Guru Nanak Dev Stadium with his athletic dance work. As 20 district proudly descended in the ground holding proudly the flag of their district in an impressive march past, the gala and glitter of opening ceremony of Punjab Games could put the opening ceremony of Commonwealth Games to a shade. It may be added that the opening ceremonies of Punjab Games were choreographed by Prof. Bansi Kaul who had choreographed the ceremony of CWG.
As 4300 sportsmen and officials from every nook and corner of the State took the oath of sportsmen-ship, they rewrote a chapter in the sports history of Punjab where budding talent would be nurtured, trained and equipped to compete in International tournaments, realizing the dreams of young and dynamic S. Sukhbir Singh Badal Deputy Chief Minister Punjab. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Badal said that these games were my passion and I have institutionalized the arrangement that these games become an Annual Feature in the Sports Calendar of the State. He said that the one of the main objectives of these games is to wean away the youth from drugs as well as a sedentary way of life by encouraging them to join sports as a movement. He hoped that over the years, these prestigious State Level Games would attract more and more youth of the State into sports, curbing the menace of drugs among them. He said that the tournament would prepare the youth to compete with confidence even at the national and international levels besides helping the State Sports Authorities to select scientifically sports persons having higher potential and prepare them for advanced training for competing at national and international level. He announced that the state government has finalized a policy in the last Cabinet meeting that more talented among sportsmen would get an opportunity to secure employment in Government / Semi Government Organizations.
As Harbhajan Mann World renowned Punjab Folk Singer enthralled audience, a strong troupe of 2900 artists of North Zone Cultural Center presented a spectra of dances from different states amalgamating into one conveying the underlined message unity and diversity. The riot of colors synchronized with laser lights moved the audience to a fantasy as most of the audience remain glued to their seats even after the show, refusing to believe that it was a live show.
It may be added that Punjab Games covering 11 sports disciplines namely Athletics, Basket Ball, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Shooting, Volleyball, Weight Lifting , Wrestling and Tug of War, would continue upto 6th March, 2011 at four centers including Ludhiana, Mohali, Patiala and Jalandhar. The closing ceremony of the games would be held at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton Park Jalandhar.
The games have been bifurcated into three groups. The first group consists of Hockey and Shooting, whereas the Hockey event would be conducted at Jalandhar and Shooting at Mohali. The second group would be organized at Patiala which includes the games of Boxing, Weight Lifting, Wrestling and Volleyball. In the third group the games are Athletics, Basketball, Football, Kabaddi and Tug of War which will be conducted at Ludhiana. The Matches would be played under flood lights and telecast live.
The players of 11 sports disciplines would get a golden opportunity to win 21 Lakh in each sports discipline. The first three position holder teams in each discipline shall take home a Cash Prize of Rs. 9.00 lac, Rs. 7.00 lac & Rs. 5.00 lac, respectively.
Mr. Pargat Singh Director Sports speaking on the occasion said that the district teams for these prestigious games have been selected through open trials in most transparent manner. The selection committees included the District Sports Officers, concerned District Sports Associations and some prominent sports persons of the district belonging to the relevant sports discipline. Every district team including officials has been provided a sports kit of specific colour and design that was unique for each district at the cost of Rs. 1 crore.
