Punjab’s ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan‑2026’ Kicks Off in Bathinda, Aims for Global Glory

On a bright Saturday morning, the dust‑kicked fields of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda reverberated with the thumping beats of bhangra, signalling the start of ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan‑2026’. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, standing before a buzzing crowd, spoke of turning Punjab’s raw sporting spirit into a global force.

The fourth season is set to be massive – almost ten lakh participants ranging from sprightly fourteen‑year‑olds to seasoned athletes over seventy will compete across 39 disciplines, four of which are para‑sports. For the first time, tennis‑ball cricket has been added as a demonstration sport for both boys and girls.

Prize money? A handsome ₹12.5 crore is up for grabs. Gold medalists at the state level will pocket ₹10,000, silver winners ₹7,000 and bronze winners ₹5,000. Veteran athletes are finally getting recognition too, with cash awards and, for the first time, grading certificates that can help them tap into sports‑quota jobs.

In a proud moment, Commonwealth Games 2026 silver medallists Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh were each handed ₹50 lakh as a token of the government’s gratitude. The opening ceremony was a cultural feast – Gurdas Maan’s soulful voice mingled with Kulwinder Billa’s energetic numbers, while dancers in vibrant giddha and bhangra costumes lit up the arena.

Beyond the glitz, the CM outlined a bigger vision. Under the new Sports Policy, the state has already poured ₹15 crore into athletes’ training, earmarking ₹15 lakh for Olympic preparation and ₹8 lakh for Asian and Commonwealth Games hopefuls. Rural sports infrastructure is also getting a boost – 3,148 village grounds are under development, 750 of them already inaugurated, and 6,000 gyms are on the way, 500 of which are functional in the first phase.

To make sure players can gear up, ₹12.5 crore has been directly transferred into the bank accounts of 9,501 athletes for equipment purchases. The games will travel across Punjab, culminating in Patiala on November 29, where the final medals will be awarded and the next chapter of Punjab’s sporting saga will be set.