Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, November 24, 2024: Punjab Rural Development & Panchayats, Industries & Commerce and Investment Promotion Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund attended the prize distribution ceremony of state level equestrian competitions under Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan-2024 here today; including MLA Anmol Gagan Mann and senior AAP leader Gurpreet Singh GP. Speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund said that the Bhagwant Mann government has taken the initiative to revive the sports culture in the state in association with Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan.
He said that the Punjab government is committed to provide all kinds of facilities to the sportspersons of the state to achieve international fame, under which they were given cash awards and postings on higher civil and administrative posts besides giving cash for Asian and Olympic preparations and practice. He said that sports are the best way to keep the youth away from drug addiction, where they instill discipline in our lives.
He said that the Punjab government is committed to provide all kinds of facilities to the sportspersons of the state to achieve international fame. He said that among the players of northern states, there is a big participation of players from Punjab and Haryana in representing the country in international competitions, which the people of Punjab are always proud of. He said that for the first time since last year, horse riding became a part of Punjab's sports and this time for the first time in the state, "Cross Country Event" was organized under various competitions during the state level games. Which used to happen only in international and national level competitions.

He said that during these competitions, professional horse riders of PPS Nabha, YPS and Budha Dal made special contribution. On this occasion, MLA Anmol Gagan Mann said that the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is paying special attention to sports as part of its efforts to make Punjab a leader in every field. Due to which the youth of Punjab are getting a golden opportunity to participate in sports.
AAP leader Gurpreet Singh GP thanked Punjab's Rural Development and Panchayat, Industry and Commerce and Investment Promotion Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saund and said that his arrival has boosted the enthusiasm of the players and managers. During these games, competitions were held for equestrians in different age groups under-14, under-17, under-21 and open category, the results of which are as follows; Event: Cross Country Under-21, Suharsh got first place and Birkanwar Singh got second place. Event: Cross Country, Above 21, Sandeep Singh won first place, Gurtej Singh won second place and Sukhpreet won third place.
Event: Fault and Out Jumping, Under-14, Rajpal Singh got first place, Samarveer got second place and Amar Singh got third place. Event: Fault and Out Jumping, Under-17, Danveer Singh got first place, Balraj Singh got second place and Birkanwar Singh got third place. On this occasion, Tarunpreet Singh Saund, MLA Anmol Gagan Mann and AAP leader GP Singh were welcomed by District Sports Officer Rupesh Begra, national equestrian players Deepinder Singh and Harmandeep Singh Khaira.
He specially thanked Forest Hill organiser Davinder Singh Sandhu for providing the venue to host these competitions.