Patiala, August 26 - The torch bearers of 'Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan' Season-3 were accorded a rousing welcome by the Patialis on their arrival in Patiala today. On the occasion, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh, Chairman Punjab Mandi Board Harchand Singh Burst, Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ahmad Pare and ADC Madam Kanchan welcomed the torch at Raja Bhalinder Singh Sports Stadium.
Speaking on the occasion, Cabinet Minister Dr Balbir Singh said that as a part of the series of initiatives being taken to make the state Rangla Punjab, 'Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan' launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has brought children, youth and elderly people back to the sports field. He said that the brand ambassadors of Rangle Punjab are the sportspersons who participate in these sports.
He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has started a new initiative to produce national and international level sportspersons in the state where he launched 'Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan'. At the same time, the players going to international level competitions were also given money for preparation so that the players do not face any kind of problem and they can perform their best at the international level.
Punjab Mandi Board Chairman Harchand Singh Burst said that with the aim of providing better facilities to the players, Punjab Mandi Board is starting to use Mandi sheds for indoor games in the off-season. He said that about 500 trainers have also been contacted to train the players as volunteers. During the program, Deputy Commissioner Shaukat Ahmed Pare encouraged the players and said that 'Khedan Watan Punjab Ki', being organized for the third consecutive year, has given the players an opportunity to showcase their sports talent.
District Sports Officer Harpinder Singh appealed to Patiala residents to register themselves to be a part of 'Khedan Watan Punjab Ki' Season 3 and asked them to register themselves on https://eservices.punjab.gov.in by August 28.
On this occasion, DSP Vaibhav Chaudhary, SDM Patiala Arvind Kumar, DSP Achhru Ram, General Secretary of District Olympic Association, Patiala Jagdeep Singh Kahlon and folk singer Jitinder Jeetu were also present.