Kila Raipur: At the historic Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday emphasized that sports serve as the most powerful tool to combat the drug menace in Punjab. He announced that the sports budget will be enhanced in the upcoming state budget to channel the energy of the state’s youth into constructive avenues.
Highlighting the revival of bullock cart races, which had been halted under previous governments, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “When children sweat it out on the field and bring home medals, there will be no need for any anti-drug campaign.” He described the revival of the Kila Raipur Games as a symbol of Punjab’s rural pride and cultural heritage, noting that the New Sports Policy 2023 is a step toward restoring the state’s sporting glory with stadiums planned in every village.
CM Bhagwant Mann also announced development works for Kila Raipur, including beautification of the eight-acre village pond, construction of a modern library, widening of the village circular road at ₹1.5 crore, and installation of stadium floodlights. A six-a-side hockey astroturf will be constructed with an allocation of ₹2 crore, and major roads such as Dehlon to Pakhowal will be renovated at a cost of ₹30 crore.
ਅੱਜ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿਖੇ ‘ਯੁੱਧ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਵਿਰੁੱਧ’ ਮੁਹਿੰਮ ਤਹਿਤ ਲੀਡਰਸ਼ਿਪ ਇਨ ਮੈਂਟਲ ਹੈਲਥ ਪ੍ਰੋਗਰਾਮ ਦੇ ਫੈਲੋਜ਼ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਸਾਨ ਭਵਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਮੁਲਾਕਾਤ ਕੀਤੀ। ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੌਜਵਾਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਛੁਡਾਊ ਕੇਂਦਰਾਂ ਅਤੇ ਓਟ ਸੈਂਟਰਾਂ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਕਾਉਂਸਲਿੰਗ ਕਰਕੇ ਨਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਦੇ ਖ਼ਾਤਮੇ ਲਈ ਅਹਿਮ ਭੂਮਿਕਾ ਨਿਭਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਅਪੀਲ ਕੀਤੀ। ਮਾਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਨਸ਼ਾ ਮੁਕਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ… pic.twitter.com/HVQYvRZ7CP
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Addressing the gathering, he stated, “Sports are the most lethal weapon against the drug menace, and the government is already promoting them on a large scale. Our focus is to channelize youth energy positively, unlike previous governments which neglected this sector.” He highlighted the success of three seasons of “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan”, where multiple generations of families participate, and said that Punjab today leads the country in sports, producing captains for key Indian teams.
CM Bhagwant Mann Revives Bullock Cart Races Under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’, Stadiums Planned in Every Village
The Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reiterated the government’s commitment to combating drugs under the ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign and said stadiums are being constructed in every village. Praising the heritage of the Kila Raipur Games, he stated that bullock cart races, the main attraction of the rural Olympics, have resumed after 13 years following the Punjab Amendment to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 2025, passed unanimously by the Vidhan Sabha on July 11, 2025.
Tracing the rich legacy of the games, CM Bhagwant Mann noted that legendary athletes, including Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh, Milkha Singh, and Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, have competed at Kila Raipur. The stadium, envisioned in 1933 by Sardar Inder Singh and the Grewal Education Society, hosted its first wrestling matches in 1933, chariot races in 1942, and evolved into bullock cart races in 1950. Girls’ athletics events were introduced in 1964, making it the first rural stadium in Punjab to host female competitions.
Also read : Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh Engages LMHP Fellows to Strengthen Anti-Drug Campaign
Emphasizing cultural continuity, CM Bhagwant Mann said, “Bulls are integral to Punjab’s heritage, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji spent time farming with bulls at Kartarpur Sahib. Reviving bullock cart races preserves our traditions and rural culture.” He described the sports fair as a vibrant showcase of Punjabi culture, with wrestling, dancing, and singing reflecting the spirit of the state.
On public welfare, CM Bhagwant Mann encouraged villagers to enrol in the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, Punjab’s largest health reform program, providing up to ₹10 lakh in cashless treatment to approximately 65 lakh families. He also announced that the state government has requested the Central Government to name Halwara Airport after Kartar Singh Sarabha, honoring the young revolutionary martyr.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.