Patiala aims to lead Punjab in Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan: Dr Balbir Singh

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State-level competitions to be held from October 10 to November 23 in Patiala

Patiala, September 9

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Patiala legislators on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the fourth season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan and called for increased participation from the district.

Addressing a high-level meeting in Patiala, Dr Balbir Singh said the Bhagwant Mann government has created a sporting environment in the state by bringing people across generations, ‘from grandfather to grandson’, to the sports fields through the event.

He urged residents to register in large numbers and participate in the games. The minister directed the district administration, sports and education departments to coordinate with sports academies, associations, federations, government and private schools and colleges to ensure wider participation.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal assured the meeting that the district administration would make all necessary efforts to ensure the success of the event.

Dr Balbir Singh said the fourth season of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan 2026 began with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurating the games at Bathinda on September 5. The closing ceremony will be held in Patiala on November 29.

He said participation in the games has reached around five lakh in previous editions and the target this year was to take it to 10 lakh, with Patiala expected to play a leading role in participation.

The fourth season includes 38 sports, one exhibition sport, tennis ball cricket, and four para sports across nine age categories. The categories range from under 14 to above 70 years. Winners will receive prize money of more than Rs 12 crore along with grading certificates.

Block-level competitions in seven sports have already begun and will continue until September 18. District-level competitions will be held from September 20 to 30, followed by state-level events from October 10 to November 23. Para-sports competitions are scheduled from November 25 to 28.

MLAs Nina Mittal, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurlal Ghanaur, Kulwant Singh Bajigar and Gurdev Singh Dev Maan, besides officials and representatives of sports associations and federations, attended the meeting.