SAS Nagar, August 18, 2026:- The Torch Relay of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan—Season 4’ received a warm and enthusiastic welcome upon entering Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district from Fatehgarh Sahib district today. The relay received at the Sports Complex, Phase 78, Mohali, where a vibrant sporting event was organised to promote the spirit of sportsmanship and encourage youth participation in sports.
Member of Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib S. Malvinder Singh Kang, MLA SAS Nagar S. Kulwant Singh, Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board S. Parminder Singh Goldy, Captain of the victorious 2016 Junior World Cup Hockey team S. Harjit Singh Tuli, and Dronacharya Awardee S. Jiwanjot Singh were among the prominent personalities who led the Torch Relay.
Chairperson, District Planning Committee Smt. Prabhjot Kaur, Chairman, District Traders Commission S. Ranjit Pal Singh, SDM Mohali Smt. Damandeep Kaur, District Sports Officer Smt. Umeshwari Sharma, and District Education Officer Dr. Ginni Duggal also accompanied the relay.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation by sportspersons, students and sports enthusiasts. Performances by budding gymnasts and bhangra teams further added colour and energy to the celebrations, creating an atmosphere of sporting enthusiasm and pride.
Addressing the gathering, MP Malvinder Singh Kang said that the ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ initiative, launched by the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has provided a strong platform to budding sportspersons at the block, district and state levels. He said that attractive cash prizes, better sporting facilities and opportunities to compete at various levels have significantly boosted the morale of young players.
S. Kang, who himself has been an active sportsperson and had won a gold medal in basketball at the national level during his student days, said that the commencement of the fourth season reflects the State Government’s sustained commitment to promoting sports. He said that the initiative aims to connect youth with sports, keep them away from drugs and channelise their energy towards constructive pursuits.
He said Punjab has a proud sporting legacy, with players from the State having represented the country and led national teams in disciplines including hockey, men’s and women’s cricket and basketball. He added that the State Government is creating the requisite sporting infrastructure and providing opportunities for players to excel at the state, national and international levels.
Emphasising that Punjab has no dearth of sporting talent, S. Kang called upon young sportspersons to make the most of the opportunities being provided to them and bring laurels to the State and the country.
MLA Kulwant Singh said that the Punjab Government’s focus on developing modern sports infrastructure, including facilities at the village level, has opened new avenues for rural youth. He said that young players can now progress from the village level to district, state, national and international competitions through a structured sporting ecosystem.
He said the State Government has adopted a comprehensive approach towards the welfare and development of people, with equal emphasis on quality education, healthcare, sports and other sectors. He also highlighted the policy of providing prestigious government jobs to outstanding international sportspersons, which, he said, serves as an inspiration for young athletes.
Chairman, Punjab Youth Development Board, Parminder Singh Goldy, recalling his days of hockey coaching with Harjit Singh Tuli, Captain of India’s victorious 2016 Junior Hockey World Cup team, said that talented sportspersons require the right opportunities and a supportive environment to excel.
He said that the Punjab Government has accorded high priority to sports and has substantially enhanced the sports budget, which now stands at Rs 1,800 crore, marking a significant strengthening of the State’s sporting infrastructure and ecosystem.
Chairperson, District Planning Committee, Prabhjot Kaur, and Chairman, District Traders Commission, Ranjit Pal Singh, also addressed the gathering and extended their best wishes to the participating sportspersons and youth.
The ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan—Season 4’ competitions will be organised at different levels across the State. The Block-level competitions will be held from September 3 to 15, District-level competitions from September 20 to 30, and State-level competitions from October 10 to November 28, 2026.
The Torch Relay is aimed at spreading the message of sports, fitness, discipline and healthy living among the people, while inspiring the youth of Punjab to actively participate in sporting activities.
District Sports Officer Smt. Umeshwari Sharma said that the Torch Relay will proceed to Rupnagar district on August 19, 2026, carrying forward the message of sportsmanship, fitness and active participation among the youth.