Punjab to witness sports extravaganza next month

Punjab Sports Department is all set to organise a sports extravaganza in the form of Shaheed-E-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games.
Disclosing this here today, a spokesman of state sports department said the inaugural ceremony of State Games would be held on February 14 and conclude on February 19.
He informed that the competitions during the Games would be open to both men and women and would be hosted in different towns across the state.
He said Basketball, Football, Handball, Cycling (men and women) competitions would be held in Ludhiana while Jalandhar would host Hockey (men), Badminton and Shooting (men and women).

Patiala would organise Weightlifting, Volleyball, Gymnastics, Archery (men & women) while Boxing, Wrestling (Greco and Roman style) and Judo (men and women) would be held in Sri Anandpur Sahib and Rupnagar.
He further stated that SAS Nagar would host Swimming, Table Tennis (men & women) and Hockey (women) while Kabaddi (national style), Athletics and Roller Skating (men & women) would be held at Sangrur.

He said that more than 9,000 players and officials are expected to take part in the Games. He said winning teams in the Games would be richer by Rs 15 lakh per sport.
Throwing light on sports policy of the state government, the spokesman said that it has always been the earnest desire of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to see Punjab in the numero uno position in terms of sports.

He added that the efforts of the department in league with the state government has resulted in the coming up of seven multipurpose stadia, seven hockey stadiums and one sports school.