Punjab Rural Development and Panchayats, Industries and Commerce and Investment Promotion Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond today distributed the prizes to the winners of the state-level equestrian competitions held under Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan-2024, here at Forest Hill, Village Karoran. MLA Anmol Gagan Mann and senior AAP leader Gurpreet Singh GP also accompanied him.
Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond while addressing on this occasion, said that the Bhagwant Mann government has taken the initiative to revive the sports culture in the state. He added that the Punjab government is committed to providing all kinds of facilities to its players to earn fame at the international level games, under which they have been given cash amount for preparation and practice for Asian and Olympics besides cash prizes and postings on higher civil and administrative positions on clinching medals.
He said that while sports instill discipline in our lives, they are also the best way to keep the youth away from drugs. He said that among the outstanding players from the northern states, there is a large participation of players from Punjab and Haryana in representing the country in international competitions, of which the people of Punjab are always proud.
He said that equestrian competitions became a part of the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan, for the first time last year and this time besides various events, a “cross country event” was introduced for the first time in the state during the state level games, which was earlier performed only in international and national level competitions. He said that during these competitions, professional horse riders from PPS Nabha, YPS and Budha Dal institutions made a special participation.
On this occasion, MLA Anmol Gagan Mann said that under the efforts of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to make Punjab excelling in every field, sports have been given focused specifically, due to which the youth of Punjab is getting a golden opportunity to participate in sports. AAP leader Gurpreet Singh GP thanked the Rural Development and Panchayat, Industries and Commerce and Investment Promotion Minister, Punjab, Tarunpreet Singh Sond and said that his arrival has boosted the morale of the players and the organisers.
During these games, competitions were held for male and female equestrian players in different age groups of Under-14, Under-17, Under-21 and Open categories, the results of which are as follows; Event: Cross Country, Under-21, Suharsh bags first place and Birkanwar Singh won second place. Event: Cross Country, Above 21, Sandeep Singh won first place, Gurtej Singh second and Sukhpreet third position.
Event: Fault and Out Jumping, Under-14, Rajpal Singh stood first, Samarveer second and Amar Singh won third. Event: Fault and Out Jumping, Under-17, Danveer Singh won first place, Balraj Singh second place and Birkanwar Singh remained on third place.
On this occasion, District Sports Officer Rupesh Begra, National Equestrian Players Deepinder Singh and Harmandeep Singh Khaira welcomed Tarunpreet Singh Sond, MLA Anmol Gagan Mann and AAP leader Gurpreet Singh GP. They specially thanked Forest Hill Owner Davinder Singh Sandhu for providing the venue for hosting these competitions.