IEP Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday announced to give the cash benefits and other incentives to the players who have bagged medals in the recently concluded Asian games very soon after their return to the homeland from China.
Addressing the gathering during interaction with the Executive coaches here today, the Chief Minister said that the earlier governments had not bothered to felicitate the medal winner players but his government will give top priority to this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government will ensure that the medal winners get the cash incentives and other incentives very soon after their arrival in the country. He said that the single motive is to boost the players for their superb performance in the Asian games concluded at China.
Lauding the stellar role of coaches in a player’s life, the Chief Minister said that coaches play an important role in grooming the players for the national and international events. He said that due to the hard work and confidence infused in the players by the coaches they excel in the fields. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that this is not a political event but it is aimed at felicitating the immense contribution of the coaches in the career of players.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab is blessed with immense talent which has been proved in recent Asian games where players from Punjab had brought various medals. He said that on one hand the credit goes to dedication of players and on other the vanguard role of coaches cannot also be denied. Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated the players and coaches for this rare display of remarkable sportsmanship in the Asian games.
The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to revive the sports culture in the state for which coaches can play a pivotal role. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts for wiping out the menace of drugs from the state for which sports is being encouraged. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that coaches can act as a catalyst in making Punjab a drug free state by promotion of sports.
The Chief Minister also said that due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, the players of state are bringing laurels for the state in the Asian games. He said that the state government is incentivizing the players with cash awards and other facilities to encourage them to perform in national and international events. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that for the first time in the history of state players are being given financial assistance to prepare for international events.
The Chief Minister said that coaches play an important role in preparing the players for adapting the new techniques in the arena of sports. He said that this helps in ensuring that the players are able to combat the future challenges in the best manner. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is heartening that out of 48 players from state who have participated in the Asian Games, 33 players won a total of 19 medals including eight Gold, six Silver and five Bronze medals adding that this is the biggest tally of Punjab in the history of Asiad during the post independence era.
The Chief Minister said that coaches accomplish a very hard task to produce the gems in the field as this duty has been bestowed on them by God. He said that the state government is committed for the well being of the players and coaches for which stupendous efforts have been made. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction for him that his government has regularised services of more than 12000 teachers and now the salary of the Executive coaches has been almost doubled.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has so far handed over appointment letters to more than 37000 youth adding that now a competition is going on in villages for producing the maximum number of government servants. He said that this is just the beginning as now more than 2.89 lakh jobs will also be provided in the private sector. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed to channelizing the unbounded energy of the youth in a positive direction.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that successive state governments in Punjab have ignored the sports due to which the state has suffered a lot. However, he said that his government is working untiringly to restore the pristine glory of sports in the state. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government is making all out efforts to upgrade the sport infrastructure in the state so that world class facilities can be provided to the budding players.
Earlier, the Sports Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer welcomed all the dignitaries on the occasion.
During their address two executive coaches, Nitish Thakur and Jagbir Singh profusely thanked the Chief Minister for enhancing their salaries. They said that this path breaking initiative will go a long way in reviving the sports culture in the state. They expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for acceding to their long pending adding that this will encourage all of them to render their services more diligently and passionately.
