CM Bhagwant Mann felicitates 23 Punjab players who participated in CWG
CM Bhagwant Mann felicitates 23 Punjab players who participated in CWG: Punjab government on the 27th of August felicitated its Commonwealth contingent with a cash prize worth ₹9.3 crores. He awarded 23 sportspersons who represented the country in the recently concluded Games at Birmingham.
Chief minister Bhagwant Mann was the chief guest at the function. He termed it a humble effort from the government to recognize the massive efforts. These sportspersons brought laurels to the country. Interacting with the players, the chief minister reiterated the firm commitment of the state government to restore the pristine glory of the state in the field of sports.
He said that strenuous efforts are made by the state in this regard. Bhagwant Mann said that the sportsmen of the state are honored with cash prizes. This would encourage them and other budding players to excel in sports.
The CM said that the sportsmen have brought pride to the state. He believes that the onus lies on the state government to recognize these achievements. Highlighting the dire need for sports infrastructure to match at the world level, he said that the government has inherited natural talent to excel in sports and given an opportunity to these players to conquer the world with grit.
However, Mann said that the world-class infrastructure has to be coupled with professional coaches, and diet and other facilities are required. Mann unequivocally said that the state government has already enhanced the sports budget for the betterment. The budget will be used to build new stadiums at the village level. The natural talent will be produced which had been hitherto ignored.
Talking about the sports extravaganza ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan’ starting on August 29, he predicted that these games will be boosting the sporting activity in the state. This will be done by channelizing the unbounded energy of the players in a positive direction. Mann said that such concerted efforts will be bearing fruits by providing a platform for the players to excel in the arena of sports.
The CM gave examples of hockey legends such as Balbir Singh Senior, Dhanraj Pillay, Gagan Ajit Singh, Surjeet Singh, and others who had brought fame to the country in Hockey. He termed Gurjant, Manpreet, Akashdeep, and others as stars of contemporary times. He expressed hope that the country has the ability to conquer the world again with the help of these legends.
Praising the names of renowned Drag Flicker of Holland Floris Jan Bovelander, Tennis Players Martina Navratilova and Boris Becker, Bhagwant Mann said that sports rules have been changing drastically in prevailing times, so everyone has to adapt with these rules swiftly.
Mann talked about the 23 players from Punjab who participated in Birmingham. Out of 23 players, 19 players won three silver and four players won bronze medals. He handed over cash prizes to the following:
Weightlifter – Vikas Thakur
Men’s Hockey Players – Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Hardik Singh, Jarmanjit Singh, Varun Kumar, Akashdeep Singh, Mandeep Singh, Krishan Pathak, Shamsher Singh, and Jugraj Singh
Women Cricketers – Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Tania Bhatia,
Weightlifters – Lovepreet Singh, Harjinder Kaur, and Gurdeep Singh
Women hockey player – Gurjit Kaur.
Judo player – Jasleen Saini Judo
Athlete – Navjit Kaur Dhillon
Cyclists – Naman Kapil and Vishwajit Singh