IEP Chandigarh, August 17
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday patted the players of Indian Hockey contingent from the state who had lifted the recently held Asian Hockey Championship by defeating Malaysia.
Congratulating the players, who had called on the Chief Minister at his official residence today, Bhagwant Singh Mann rreiterated the firm commitment of his government to make Punjab drug free by promotion of sports. The Chief Minister vowed to make all out efforts for restoring the pristine glory of the Hockey in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that Punjabis have always excelled in the field of Hockey and have brought several laurels for the state.
The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of sheer honour and pride that in the Indian Hockey squad that won medals in Olympics after 41 years during the sports event at Tokyo, 12 players including Captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vice Captain Hardik Singh belonged to the State. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that likewise the Indian contingent that won the lone world Cup for the country in 1975 was also led by Punjab’s son Ajitpal Singh.
The Chief Minister said that this momentum and spirit needs to be maintained so that more medals are bagged in the coming times. He bemoaned that due to constant neglect of previous governments, despite being our national game, hockey had lagged behind in the sports arena. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now the state government is making all out efforts to ensure that Hockey gets its due place in the field of sports.
The Chief Minister said concerted efforts will be made by his government to eradicate the curse of drugs by promoting sports especially Hockey. He said that more resources will be pumped in to make sure that Hockey is revived in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that every effort will be made to channelize the unbounded energy of youth in a positive manner especially in the field of sports. On the occasion Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and others.
