The North News
Jalandhar, June 11
In a landmark moment for Punjab’s sports manufacturing industry, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off a consignment of 25,000 rugby balls destined for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. The rugby balls, manufactured by Savi International in Jalandhar, will be used in matches at one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events.
At a ceremonial event held in Jalandhar—the beating heart of India’s sports goods production—Mann and Kejriwal hailed the achievement as a matter of state and national pride. “It’s a proud moment for Punjab that Jalandhar-made rugby balls will be used in the World Cup,” they said.
The leaders praised the enduring legacy and craftsmanship of Punjab’s sports goods manufacturers, describing them as visionary contributors to India’s industrial resurgence. “This is more than a business success—this is a story of Punjabi grit, enterprise and global reach,” said Kejriwal.
Mann emphasised that Punjab’s industrial policy has undergone a transformation, developed with input from industrialists to ensure a friendlier, more facilitative environment. “For the first time, Punjab’s industrial policy reflects the needs of the very people it’s meant to support,” he said.
Highlighting improved law and order, robust infrastructure, and uninterrupted power supply, the leaders pointed to a surge in investor confidence. They said over ₹1.05 lakh crore worth of investments have been secured so far, with the potential to generate jobs for 500,000 youth. Major firms like Tata Steel and Sanatan Textiles are among those investing in the state.
Kejriwal lauded the contribution of Savi International, saying the company embodies the industrious spirit of Punjab. “Punjabis are global citizens. Whether in sport, industry, or innovation, they leave a mark wherever they go,” he remarked.
Both leaders assured the sports goods sector of continued government support and said Punjab is well on its way to becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, with Jalandhar leading the charge.
