NEW CHANDIGARH, JUNE 8— More than 1,100 government school students from Barnala traveled to the international cricket stadium in New Chandigarh to watch the live Test match between India and Afghanistan. The sports excursion was organized through a joint initiative by the Punjab Cricket Association secretary and Sangrur Member of Parliament Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, allowing many young spectators to enter a professional stadium for the first time.
The visiting students from the School of Eminence and neighboring state-run schools occupied the Yuvraj Singh stand, where India secured a victory by an innings and 300 runs on the third day of play.
“It is a big occasion for the students to see their heartthrob cricketers in action on the ground and cheer for them,” Hayer stated after joining the children during the afternoon session.
The regional cricket board managed the entire logistics of the trip to ensure full participation during the ongoing academic summer break. According to event coordinates, the sports body provided dedicated round-trip transportation, mid-day meals, and commemorative t-shirts for all 1,100 students.
Lakhwinder Singh Gill, father of Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill, also attended the match alongside the student groups, signing autographs on posters and banners brought by the children.
“The transportation as well as the afternoon refreshments were also arranged by the PCA for the students besides gifting T-shirts as souvenirs,” Hayer declared, adding that the initiative aims to inspire grassroots interest in sports. District Sports Manager Simardeep Singh and respective school administrators supervised the regional delegations throughout the day.
