Chandigarh, May 25: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann honored 87 winners of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awards and 1,070 medal-winning athletes with a prize money of ₹32.05 crores on Sunday.
In a significant initiative to promote sports, the Chief Minister announced plans to expand the state’s sports ecosystem from villages to international levels.
Mann also revealed that Punjab will host the Asian Champions Trophy for the first time, featuring a high-stakes match between India and Pakistan on November 1, coinciding with ‘Punjab Day.’
Criticizing previous governments, Mann stated that despite producing countless champions for the nation, Punjab was never given the opportunity to host a major sporting event. He noted that political influence overshadowed genuine athletes in sports associations.
Addressing a grand award ceremony, Mann described the day as historic for Punjab, as 87 athletes received the prestigious Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award. Additionally, 1,070 athletes who excelled in various sports were also recognized.
He stated, “For the first time in Punjab’s history, the government has distributed ₹32.05 crores in prize money to athletes through checks. The Punjab government has honored Olympic and Asian Games medalists with ₹1 crore each and provided government jobs to nine medal winners. Our athletes have brought great honor to the country and state on international platforms. It is our responsibility to stand firmly with them and ensure they receive the respect, recognition, and support they deserve.”
Highlighting the government’s sports vision, Mann mentioned that for the first time, ₹8.61 crores has been allocated for 220 athletes to prepare for tournaments.
He added, “The Punjab government has allocated a record sports budget of ₹1,763 crores for 2026-27 to strengthen sports infrastructure and athlete development across the state. To nurture talented athletes in villages, 3,148 rural sports grounds are being developed at a cost of ₹1,300 crores. These grounds will serve as guiding platforms for emerging athletes in rural Punjab.”
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