CHANDIGARH, August 31: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday inaugurated the inaugural franchise-based Sher-e-Punjab T20 Cricket League at the PCA Cricket Stadium in Mohali. Organized by the Punjab Cricket Association on the lines of the IPL, the two-week tournament features six teams competing for top honours through September 13.
Interacting with players and organizers during the opening ceremony, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann maintained that the tournament offers budding state players crucial exposure alongside established stars. He declared sports to be the most effective instrument in combating drug abuse, emphasizing that the state government is focused on guiding youth energy toward constructive paths. He affirmed that Punjab is actively constructing 3,100 playgrounds and allocating the highest-ever budget for sports infrastructure to strengthen grassroots participation.
Highlighting the state’s historical contribution to Indian cricket, the Chief Minister asserted that legendary players like Lala Amarnath, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Yuvraj Singh paved the way for current icons. He stated that Punjab takes great pride in producing both Indian men’s captain Shubman Gill and women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur, alongside numerous players currently competing in the IPL. He also announced that the state will host the massive sporting event ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Dian’ starting September 5 in Bathinda.
