Punjab Launches Historic Sports Revolution: CM Bhagwant Mann Honours 1,070 Athletes, Announces ₹1,763 Crore Sports Push and Massive Infrastructure Expansion

Chandigarh, May 2026 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday unveiled one of the most ambitious sports development programmes ever announced by an Indian state government, positioning Punjab at the centre of a nationwide sporting transformation. In a grand ceremony celebrating sporting excellence, the Punjab government honoured 87 recipients of the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award and distributed cash rewards worth ₹32.05 crore among 1,070 medal-winning athletes from across multiple sporting disciplines.

The event, attended by Olympians, international athletes, coaches, sports officials, and families of players, reflected the state government’s attempt to build a comprehensive sports ecosystem that stretches from rural playgrounds to global sporting arenas. Alongside the awards ceremony, the Chief Minister announced a record sports budget of ₹1,763 crore for the financial year 2026-27, major investments in rural sports infrastructure, direct athlete funding, employment opportunities, sports medicine facilities, and the hosting of international sporting events in Punjab.

Calling it a “historic day for Punjab and Indian sports,” Bhagwant Mann said the state was shifting away from the traditional model of merely rewarding athletes after success and was instead investing in long-term athlete preparation, grassroots talent identification, and modern infrastructure development.

Punjab’s Biggest-Ever Sports Recognition Ceremony

The highlight of the ceremony was the honouring of 87 distinguished athletes with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award, Punjab’s highest sports honour. In addition, 1,070 medal-winning athletes from various national and international competitions were felicitated for bringing glory to Punjab and India.

“For the first time in Punjab’s history, the government has distributed ₹32.05 crore directly among players through cheques and financial support. These athletes have made the state and country proud on international platforms, and it is our duty to ensure they receive respect, recognition, and institutional support,” Mann said.

Each Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awardee received ₹5 lakh in prize money, along with a ceremonial blazer, commemorative scroll, and a specially designed emblem featuring Maharaja Ranjit Singh mounted on horseback. Altogether, ₹4.35 crore was distributed among the awardees.

The Chief Minister noted that the awards also cleared a long-pending backlog of honours from 2018 to 2023, ensuring that deserving athletes who had waited years for recognition finally received their due acknowledgement.

Record Sports Budget of ₹1,763 Crore

One of the most significant announcements made during the event was the allocation of a record ₹1,763 crore sports budget for 2026-27. The government said the funding would be used to strengthen sports infrastructure, training systems, grassroots programmes, athlete welfare, and employment opportunities.

According to Mann, Punjab’s villages have historically produced world-class athletes in hockey, wrestling, athletics, kabaddi, and other sports. However, the lack of consistent infrastructure and institutional support had often prevented rural talent from fully flourishing.

To address this, the government has launched an ambitious project to build 3,148 rural sports grounds across Punjab at a cost of ₹1,300 crore.

“These sports grounds will become centres of hope and inspiration for young players in villages. Punjab’s sporting future lies in our rural youth, and we are committed to giving them world-class opportunities,” the Chief Minister said.

The government also announced the installation of gym equipment in 6,000 villages and the distribution of 17,000 sports kits to encourage fitness and sports participation among youth.

Punjab to Host Asian Champions Trophy

In another major announcement, Bhagwant Mann declared that Punjab will host the prestigious Asian Champions Trophy for the first time. The tournament is expected to attract top Asian hockey teams and bring international sporting attention to the state.

The Chief Minister also revealed that the high-profile India-Pakistan hockey clash during the tournament would be played on Punjab Day, turning it into a landmark sporting occasion.

Taking a dig at previous governments, Mann said Punjab had produced countless champions and Olympic medalists over decades but was rarely given opportunities to host major international sporting events.

“Punjab has always contributed immensely to Indian sports, yet earlier governments failed to bring international tournaments here. We have changed that mindset and are placing Punjab firmly on the global sporting map,” he said.

Shift From Post-Victory Rewards to Athlete Preparation

One of the defining themes of the Punjab government’s new sports policy is the transition from post-event rewards to pre-event support.

Bhagwant Mann announced that 220 players had already received direct financial assistance worth ₹8.61 crore to prepare for tournaments and international competitions.

He explained that athletes often struggle due to lack of resources before major events and are forced to depend on personal finances or private support for equipment, coaching, travel, and training.

“To build champions, governments must support athletes before competitions, not only after they win medals. That is the philosophy behind our new sports policy,” Mann stated.

The state government has also launched a dedicated Punjab Sports Portal, through which over ₹15 crore has already been disbursed directly to players and sports institutions for training, high-end sports equipment, and preparation support.

The portal includes customised grants for sports such as shooting, fencing, kayaking, and archery, while also helping athletes connect with corporate sponsors and institutional partners.

Olympic and International Medalists Receive Major Rewards

The Punjab government honoured several elite athletes who achieved success at international competitions.

Indian Women’s Cricket Team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and all-rounder Amanjot Kaur received ₹1.50 crore each following India’s recent achievements in women’s cricket.

In shooting, world championship medalists Amanpreet Singh and Neeraj Kumar were awarded ₹1.54 crore and ₹1.52 crore respectively. Shooters Kirandeep Kaur and Kritika Sharma received ₹50 lakh each.

Rising shooting star Vijayveer Sidhu was honoured with ₹28.50 lakh, while Wushu player Kushal Kumar received ₹25 lakh for his achievements.

Para-powerlifting world champion Paramjit Kumar received ₹55 lakh for bringing global recognition to Punjab and India.

The Chief Minister also reiterated that Punjab had already honoured bronze medal-winning hockey players from the 2024 Summer Olympics with ₹1 crore each. Asian Games gold medalists were also awarded ₹1 crore each.

Since 2022, the Punjab government has distributed ₹106.20 crore in prize money among athletes and para-athletes who excelled in national and international competitions.

Punjab’s Hockey Legacy Celebrated

A major portion of the event celebrated Punjab’s unmatched contribution to Indian hockey.

Bhagwant Mann said more than 50 Punjabi hockey players have won Olympic medals for India over the decades, while several Punjabi athletes have captained the national hockey team.

He recalled India’s historic bronze medal victory at the 2020 Summer Olympics after a gap of 41 years, with nine Punjabi players in the squad led by Manpreet Singh.

The Chief Minister also highlighted India’s bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, where ten Punjabi players represented the country under the captaincy of Harmanpreet Singh, who emerged as the tournament’s leading scorer.

Among the hockey stars honoured were Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Rupinder Pal Singh, Mandeep Singh, Hardik Singh, Varun Kumar, Shamsher Singh, Krishan Bahadur Pathak, and Dilpreet Singh.

Several of these athletes are currently serving in prestigious public service positions such as PCS officers and DSPs in Punjab Police.

Mann also paid tribute to Punjab’s legendary hockey-producing villages like Sansarpur, Mithapur, and Khusropur, which together produced dozens of Olympians over the years.

Support for Para-Athletes

The event also placed strong emphasis on para-sports and inclusivity.

The Punjab government honoured several para-athletes who overcame immense physical challenges to achieve international success.

Among those felicitated were Asian Games gold medalist Mohammad Yaser, swimmer Vaibhav Rajoria, wrestler Surender Kamboj, para-badminton player Palak Kohli, and para-powerlifter Paramjit Kumar.

Bhagwant Mann said para-athletes represented the true spirit of determination and resilience and deserved equal support and recognition.

Families of Athletes Also Honoured

In an emotional segment of the ceremony, mothers and family members of athletes unable to attend due to training commitments were invited on stage to receive honours on behalf of the players.

Among them were the mother of Asian Games medalist Harmilan Bains and Arjuna Awardee Madhuri Saxena.

“The sacrifices of parents are the invisible foundation behind every sporting success. Every medal reflects years of discipline, struggle, emotional support, and sacrifices made by families,” Mann said.

The audience applauded as several parents were recognised for their contribution to the journeys of Punjab’s sporting heroes.

New Employment Opportunities for Athletes

The Punjab government also announced the creation of a new “Outstanding Sportsperson” cadre aimed at providing stable employment opportunities to athletes.

Under the initiative, 500 posts have been created across various sports disciplines. The government has already recruited 45 junior coaches and three senior coaches on a regular basis.

The Chief Minister said the initiative would provide financial security and career stability to athletes after their competitive careers.

Punjab Becomes First State with Separate Sports Medicine Cadre

In a pioneering move, Punjab has become the first state in India to establish a dedicated Sports Medicine cadre focused on sports science, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, and athlete fitness management.

Recruitment for 112 posts has already been completed, while hiring for 206 physical trainer posts is currently underway.

Sports experts believe the initiative could significantly improve athlete recovery systems, injury management, and long-term performance development.

Talent Search Programme and Sports Nurseries

The state government has also launched a grassroots Talent Search Programme aimed at identifying promising young athletes across Punjab.

As part of the programme, 253 sports nurseries have been established, supported by 253 nursery coaches and 26 sports supervisors.

The initiative focuses on identifying talent at an early age and providing structured training, nutrition, coaching, and competition exposure.

Yuva Bhawan Foundation Stone Laid

During the ceremony, Bhagwant Mann virtually laid the foundation stone of a modern Yuva Bhawan at Sector 42 in Chandigarh.

The ₹43.66 crore facility will include:

• Hostel accommodation for 200 youths
• A 400-seat auditorium
• Conference halls
• Seminar rooms
• Dining and recreational facilities
• Modern training infrastructure

The building will be managed by the Department of Youth Services and is expected to become a hub for youth activities and sports-related programmes.

Punjab’s Sporting Future

Concluding the ceremony, Bhagwant Mann said Punjab’s sporting ecosystem was entering a transformative phase where athletes would no longer struggle for recognition, infrastructure, or institutional support.

He noted that Punjab had produced national captains in hockey, cricket, football, and basketball, including Shubman Gill, Harmanpreet Kaur, Harmanpreet Singh, and Palpreet Singh Brar.

The Chief Minister said the state government was committed to ensuring that future generations of athletes receive world-class facilities, financial backing, employment opportunities, and global exposure.

“Punjab’s players have brought glory to India for generations. Now it is Punjab’s responsibility to stand with them at every step of their journey,” Bhagwant Mann said.

He added that the government’s long-term vision was not merely to produce medal winners but to build a sustainable sporting culture where every child in Punjab has access to playgrounds, coaching, nutrition, and opportunities to dream big.

“Sports are not just about medals. They build discipline, unity, confidence, and national pride. Punjab will continue to lead India’s sporting future,” the Chief Minister said.

Team Maverick.