IEP Chandigarh, August 24
Exhibition matches of Volleyball, Rugby and Tug of War will be the centre of attraction on the occasion of the opening ceremony of the season 2 of ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ organized by the Sports Department at Bathinda. The games would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann who will also play a Volleyball match. Similarly, film actor and former Rugby player Rahul Bose will also perform in the Rugby match.
It was disclosed by the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer in a press communiqué released here today after presiding over the review meeting for the preparations for the Games at Punjab Bhawan. Meet Hayer said that the Torch Relay is going to every district of Punjab which has reached Hoshiarpur today.
Before the opening ceremony to be held at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Stadium in Bathinda, the torch will reach Bathinda after touring all the districts across the state. Eminent Players of the state will participate in the Torch Relay and the players will take an oath to play with true sportsmanship.
Meet Hayer further said that during the cultural program, apart from the performance of folk singers, there will be Gatka, Giddha, Bhangra, Gymnastics and PT show also which would be the main attraction. Former players who have made Punjab famous will also attend as guests. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will formally announce the games open. This time, 35 sports competitions will be organized from block to state level in different eight age groups.
After reviewing the arrangements in the meeting, the Sports Minister asked to carry out the ceremonial activities in the true spirit of sports. He said that the visitors coming to the stadium should not face any problem, so their entry, seating and food should be arranged.
Special Chief Secretary Sarvjit Singh, Director Information and Public Relations Bhupinder Singh, Sports Director Harpreet Singh Sudan, Special Secretary Sports Anand Kumar and Deputy Director Parminder Singh Sidhu besides Deputy Commissioner Bathinda Showkat Ahmed Parray and Sports University Patiala Vice Chancellor Lt Gen (retd) JS Cheema were also present in the meeting through video conferencing.
