JALANDHAR
The torch relay for the second season of Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan was accorded a grand welcome upon its arrival in Adampur town of the district.
As the torch relay entered Adampur from Hoshiarpur, it was handed over to International Swimmer Aman Ghai and others following which the relay moved towards the city. Aman had been a SAF Games gold medallist and had also won eight medals in the recently held World Police Games.
On reaching the circuit house, Lok Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, MLA Raman Arora, Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited Chairman Mangal Singh, Olympian Surinder Singh Sodhi, Additional Deputy Commissioner Major Dr. Amit Mahajan, and others received the torch relay which was started from Ludhiana on August 22.
The relay was started by Government to create awareness among the masses about the second edition mega sports event Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Bathinda on August 29.
Rinku, addressing the players and coaches, said that the torch relay was aimed at connecting the youth of the state with sports and reviving its environment. He said that as these games begin from block levels, this will help to produce champions from the grassroots.
He said that for the past several decades, no competitive sporting events were organized by previous governments. He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was emphasizing on giving a major platform to budding players through these games so that they can bring laurels to the state by winning medals on national and international levels in the future. MP also appealed to interested youngsters to register themselves on the portal www.khedanwatanpunjabdia.com to take part in these games.
MLA Raman Arora said that Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan would encourage aspiring players to excel in the sports and wean away them from the drug menace. He said that world-class sports infrastructure professional coaches, diet, and other facilities were being ensured to the players by the government.
Meanwhile, Olympian Surinder Singh Sodhi appreciated the flagging of the torch relay and said that the aim was to make Punjab a front-runner state in the field of sports by giving a push to the sportsmen.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included coaches Umesh Sharma, Sandeep Singh, Pradeep Kumar, Navavtar Rana, Amrik Singh, and others.
It is pertinent to mention here that the state-level matches of Hockey, Athletics, and Equestrian games will be held in Burlton Park, PAP, and Sports College from October 1 and 6.