Patiala, February 3 - Zonal matches of the Punjab Jail Olympics 2025, scheduled to run from February 9, began today at Central Jail, Patiala. Jail Superintendent Varun Sharma inaugurated the games and encouraged the inmates participating in the games while getting introduced to the participating prisoner players.
Varun Sharma informed that inmates of Central Jail Patiala, Central Jail Sri Goindwal Sahib, District Jail Rupnagar, District Jail Sangrur, New Jail Nabha and Sub Jail Malerkotla are participating during these games.
The inmates will participate in various sports competitions including tug of war, volleyball, badminton, athletics (100m, 400m, long jump) and kabaddi. He informed that the winners of the zonal games will qualify for the inter-zonal Punjab Jail Olympics Games 2025 to be held on March 15-16.
Varun Sharma further informed that to enhance the rehabilitation of prisoners and their reintegration into the society, the Punjab Government has started several skill development programmes for prisoners. Under this, plumbing courses have been started for male prisoners while female prisoners are being trained in sewing.