Mohali, Sept 13: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday graced the closing ceremony of the inaugural Sher-e-Punjab T20 League at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, affirming that the state administration remains steadfast in its mission to establish Punjab as the premier sports hub of the country. Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the fortnight-long sporting event, the Chief Minister maintained that such platforms are crucial to revive the sporting culture and connect local youth with grounds across the state.
The inaugural league organized by the Punjab Cricket Association provided an avenue for 119 emerging players from various towns and villages to showcase their skills. The Chief Minister declared that the initiative has already begun yielding positive outcomes, pointing out that players Naman Dhir and Prabhsimran Singh earned selection for the India A team following their performances. He noted that talent scouts from several Indian Premier League franchises monitored the tournament, expressing confidence that more state cricketers will secure opportunities in upcoming IPL seasons.
During his interaction with the finalists, Amritsar Surmaaz and Ludhiana Lions, Chief Minister Mann commended all six participating teams for their competitive spirit. He recalled that Punjab currently boasts both the national men’s and women’s cricket captains, Shubman Gill and Harmanpreet Kaur, alongside 21 players active in the IPL. Lok Sabha MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and key officials were present at the stadium as the Chief Minister congratulated the organizers and announced that the Player of the Tournament would receive the Yuvraj Singh Award.
