LUDHIANA, Feb 19: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday identified sports as the most effective tool for steering the state’s youth away from drugs, promising a significant increase in the sports budget in the upcoming state financial plan. Speaking at the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, the Chief Minister affirmed that the revival of traditional events like bullock cart races serves as a cornerstone of the state’s strategy to engage young people in constructive and healthy activities.
The Chief Minister noted that bullock cart races, a primary attraction of the “Mini Olympics,” have resumed at Grewal Stadium after a 13-year hiatus. This return was facilitated by the unanimous passage of the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025’ in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha last July. CM Mann stated that these races are a vital part of Punjab’s rural heritage, noting that the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, himself engaged in farming with bulls at Kartarpur Sahib.
“When children sweat it out on the field and bring home medals, there will be no need for any anti-drug campaign,” the Chief Minister stated. He maintained that his government is actively plugging financial leakages left by previous administrations to ensure public money is spent directly on the welfare of the people and the development of local infrastructure.
Beyond the games, CM Mann announced several development projects for Kila Raipur, including a ₹2 crore six-a-side hockey astroturf and the beautification of the local eight-acre pond. He also declared that a modern library would be constructed at the site to supplement the sports facilities. He asserted that the New Sports Policy 2023 is already bearing fruit, with Punjab leading the country in sports and many national team captains hailing from the state.
The Chief Minister also urged residents to utilize the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which provides ₹10 lakh in health insurance coverage per family. Additionally, he affirmed that the state has requested the Central Government to name Halwara Airport after martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha, who sacrificed his life at 19, as a tribute to the region’s revolutionary legacy.
