At the historic Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday declared sports to be the most lethal weapon against the drug menace and announced that the sports budget will be enhanced in the forthcoming state Budget, underlining a determined push to channelise the energy of Punjab’s youth into constructive avenues. Stating that bullock cart races, halted during the tenure of previous governments, have now resumed after the law was amended, the Chief Minister said that when children sweat it out on the field and bring home medals, there will be no need for any anti-drug campaign.
Calling the revival of the Kila Raipur Games a reflection of Punjab’s rural pride and cultural strength, the Chief Minister highlighted the New Sports Policy 2023 as a step towards restoring the state’s sporting glory, with stadiums to be built in every village. He also announced that the eight-acre pond in Kila Raipur will be beautified and a modern library constructed, and said that the government is plugging leakages left by previous regimes, saving public money and spending it directly on the people.
Addressing a gathering during the Kila Raipur Sports Rural Olympics, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Sports are the most lethal weapon against the drug menace and the state government will enhance the budget for Sports in the ensuing budget for the state.” He said that the government is already promoting sports in a big way and added, “While the previous governments had neglected this important sector aimed at youth development, our government has duly focussed on it.” He said that sports are being promoted to channelise the unbounded energy of youth in a positive direction.
Highlighting structural reforms, the Chief Minister noted, “The New Sports Policy 2023 was launched to restore Punjab’s sporting glory and now the sports budget too will be enhanced further.” He added that the government has successfully organised three seasons of “Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan” in which three generations of a family are seen participating. “Due to strenuous efforts of the state government, Punjab today leads the country in sports and the captains of key Indian teams are from Punjab,” he said.
Reiterating the Punjab government’s war against drugs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Punjab government has unleashed a ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ in Punjab and sports are the biggest weapon in this fight.” He added that stadiums are being constructed in every village across Punjab and said it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that children are bringing glory to Punjab and the nation by bagging medals at national and international events.
Describing the Kila Raipur Games as a reflection of rural culture and heritage, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is heartening that the Punjab government has revived this heritage.” Calling it a historic occasion, he said the games are popular globally and noted that there had been a long-standing demand for the resumption of bullock cart races.
He said, “We are witnessing historic moments. People have deep affection for their bulls and raise them like their own sons.” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the Punjab Government is organizing the Rural Olympics 2026 for the third consecutive year at Grewal Stadium in Kila Raipur and added that bullock cart races, the main attraction of this fair, have resumed after 13 years.
Referring to legislative measures, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “On July 11, 2025, the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025’ was unanimously passed in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, paving the way for the resumption of bullock cart races.” He added that after the law was passed, a grand event was organised by heritage sports enthusiasts on July 29, 2025, at village Mehma Singh Wala in Ludhiana. “Bullock cart races reflect our rural heritage and keep us connected to our culture and traditions. This is the revival of traditional sports,” he said.
Underscoring cultural continuity, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Bulls are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the state and the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, spent a long time farming with bulls at Kartarpur Sahib.” He added that when the law banning bull races was enforced, it dealt a major blow to heritage sports lovers and damaged the traditional sports legacy. “This sports fair is a living picture of Punjabi culture, where one can witness the vibrant spirit of Punjab through sports like wrestling, dancing, and singing,” he said.
Recalling the legacy associated with the event, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that legendary hockey players like Dhyan Chand, Balbir Singh, Udham Singh, Prithipal Singh, Ajitpal Singh and Surjit Singh have showcased their talent at this event. He added that top athletes from across the country including Milkha Singh, Makhhan Singh, Praduman Singh, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa and Parveen Kumar have also run on this track. Tracing its origins, he said the dream of building this stadium was envisioned in 1933 under the patronage of Sardar Inder Singh, when the Grewal Education Society and Grewal Sports Association were formed.
He said that the first wrestling matches were held here in 1933 and in 1942 chariot races began on this ground, which evolved into bullock cart races in 1950 after removing the canopies from the chariots. “Along with bullock cart races, athletics events also began in this stadium which inspired several generations to excel in sports,” he said, adding that in 1964 girls’ athletics events were started here, making it the first rural stadium to introduce girls’ athletics.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the games, which began in 1933, are now popularly known as the “Mini Olympics” or “Rural Olympics” and even the President of India has attended them in the past. Emphasising communal harmony and unity in villages, he praised the residents of Kila Raipur for promoting sports heritage with unity and urged all villages to rise above political differences and contribute to rural development.
Addressing the demands of villagers, Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a slew of development works. He said the village circular road will be widened at a cost of ₹1.5 crore, the village cooperative society will be revived, the village pond will be developed on the Seechewal Model at a cost of ₹95 lakh, the village library will be upgraded at a cost of ₹10 lakh and ₹2 crore will be spent on construction of a six-a-side hockey astroturf. He added that the Dehlon to Pakhowal road will be renovated at a cost of ₹30 crore and work will begin soon, and that floodlights will be installed in the stadium.
Urging people to enrol for the ₹10 lakh health insurance card under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “It is the state’s largest health reform program. Every family is now entitled to receive up to ₹10 lakh in cashless treatment.” He added that around 65 lakh families are being benefitted from this ambitious scheme aimed at the welfare of every section of society.
The Chief Minister further stated that the Punjab Government has written to the Central Government to name Halwara Airport after Kartar Singh Sarabha, who was martyred at the age of 19. “This will be a real tribute to the legendary hero who had sacrificed his life for emancipating the country from foreign imperialism,” he said, adding that the state government is committed to perpetuating the glorious legacy of these martyrs for coming generations.
On the occasion, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, Cabinet Ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Tarunpreet Singh Sond, and other dignitaries were present.