The grand sporting event, aimed at reviving Punjab’s sporting culture and channelising the energy of youth towards sports, will begin with the opening ceremony at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda and conclude with the closing ceremony in Patiala. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that the Punjab government will organise the fourth edition of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan from September 5 to November 29, with a target of involving more than 10 lakh participants across all age groups. The 2026 edition has been planned as the biggest edition of the sporting extravaganza so far.
The grand sporting event, aimed at reviving Punjab’s sporting culture and channelising the energy of youth towards sports, will begin with the opening ceremony at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda and conclude with the closing ceremony in Patiala. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced that the Punjab government will organise the fourth edition of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan from September 5 to November 29, with a target of involving more than 10 lakh participants across all age groups. The 2026 edition has been planned as the biggest edition of the sporting extravaganza so far.
It increased the budgetary allocation for sports and provided players with cash awards as well as financial assistance for training and preparation. The Chief Minister asserted, “Promotion of sports culture can be the most effective tool in the state government’s crusade against drugs and that is why we are focusing on promoting sports. This will go a long way in eliminating the curse of drugs from the state and making our youth equal partners in the social and economic development of Punjab.
Because they are using all their might to excel in their respective fields, youth involved in sports have no time even to look at drugs. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The government will continue to strengthen sports infrastructure and create wider opportunities for young players so that Punjab regains its leading position in the sporting arena while providing its youth with a positive and productive avenue to excel. He said, “Medal winners up to 40 years of age will also receive a Gradation Certificate, making them eligible to avail the benefit of the sports quota in government jobs. During the first three seasons, ₹25.51 crore in prize money was distributed among players, reflecting the huge success of these games. To channelise the unbounded energy of our youth in a positive direction, the new Sports Policy was introduced in 2023. The concept note for the 2026 edition also positions Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan as an important vehicle for strengthening the state’s sporting culture and channelising youth energy towards sport. The Chief Minister said, “For the first time in the post-Independence period, India crossed the magic figure of 100 medals in the Asian Games by winning 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze medals. Punjabis made a huge contribution to this tally by winning 20 medals during the Asian Games 2023.
The Chief Minister said, “Sports have always remained an integral part of Punjab’s proud cultural heritage and legacy.
