Sangrur, July 1: The Punjab government has taken a major step toward transforming the state into India’s sporting powerhouse with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Olympic-standard swimming pool at the War Heroes Stadium in Sangrur on Tuesday. Built at a cost of ₹9.50 crore, the newly dedicated facility is designed to serve as a vital training hub for young athletes, paving the way for the district to emerge as a nursery for Asian, World, and Olympic champions.
During the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that the international-standard facility represents a major boost for local sportspersons. He affirmed that the state government is fully committed to restoring Punjab’s position as the top sporting destination in the country by heavily investing in world-class infrastructure and providing athletes with advanced resources.
“This swimming pool is not merely a building but it will serve as a nursery for our future Olympians,” Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared. He added that the 50×21-metre pool features a water capacity of 2.5 lakh litres and depths ranging from 4.5 feet to 7.5 feet, incorporating advanced European filtration and disinfection systems alongside premium Myrtha RenovAction and Classic Modular technology.
The Chief Minister asserted that previous administrations allocated less than ₹200 crore to sports, whereas the current dispensation has dramatically expanded the sports budget to ₹1,790 crore. To further cultivate international talent, he affirmed that the state will soon launch the Punjab Premier League for cricket and the Punjab Hockey League. Additionally, Punjab has secured the prestigious opportunity to host the Asian Champions Trophy for hockey in Mohali and Jalandhar during October and November.
The complex is equipped with modern amenities including separate changing rooms, dedicated spaces for coaches, a modern gymnasium for athletic conditioning, and a specialized mini swimming pool for children under the age of seven. The Chief Minister maintained that the administration will ensure there is never any shortage of funds or facilities for sports promotion. He also stated that 3,100 new stadiums are being constructed across the state to build a vibrant sports culture and successfully steer youth away from the menace of drugs.
