BATHINDA, September 5, 2026:
Punjab’s flagship sporting event, ‘Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026’, began in Bathinda on Saturday, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurating the fourth season at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium.
The fourth edition of the mega sporting event aims to bring around 10 lakh players aged 14 to above 70 years onto playing fields across Punjab. The Games will feature 39 sports disciplines along with four para-sports, while the event will conclude in Patiala on November 29, 2026.
The Punjab Government has earmarked ₹12.50 crore in prize money for the winners. For the first time, veteran athletes participating in the Games will also receive cash prizes.
Three Generations to Participate Together
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Games have emerged as a major platform for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from villages and cities across Punjab.
The Chief Minister highlighted the unique feature of the event, where different generations can participate together. He said that in previous editions, three generations of the same family — grandfather, father and grandson — had participated in the Games.
He said the initiative is aimed at channelising the energy of Punjab’s youth towards sports, fitness and positive activities while supporting the state’s campaign against drugs.
39 Sports and Four Para-Sports
The fourth season of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan will feature 39 sports disciplines along with four para-sports — athletics, powerlifting, badminton and wheelchair basketball.
For the first time, tennis-ball cricket for boys and girls has also been included as a demonstration sport.
The Games Torch, which began its journey from Sangrur on August 12, reached Bathinda for the inauguration ceremony.
₹10,000 for Gold, ₹7,000 for Silver and ₹5,000 for Bronze
The Chief Minister announced that a total of ₹12.50 crore will be distributed among winning athletes.
Under the prize structure, state-level medal winners will receive:
- Gold Medal: ₹10,000
- Silver Medal: ₹7,000
- Bronze Medal: ₹5,000
For the first time, veteran players will also be felicitated with cash prizes.
CM Mann further said that medal-winning athletes up to the age of 40 will receive grading certificates, which will help them avail benefits under the sports quota in government jobs.
Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh Honoured
During the inauguration ceremony, Commonwealth Games-2026 silver medallists Harjinder Kaur and Lovepreet Singh were honoured with ₹50 lakh each.
The felicitation was presented as a recognition of their achievements and the contribution of Punjab athletes at the national and international level.
₹25.51 Crore Distributed During First Three Seasons
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann highlighted the participation and prize-money figures from previous editions of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan.
The first edition in 2022 saw around 3.50 lakh players participate, with 9,688 players winning medals and ₹6.88 crore distributed as prize money.
In 2023, around 4 lakh players participated in the second edition, with 12,500 medal winners receiving ₹8.87 crore.
The third edition in 2024 witnessed around 4.35 lakh participants, while 14,500 players won medals and ₹9.76 crore was distributed.
The Games could not be held in 2025 due to floods.
Overall, around ₹25.51 crore was distributed as prize money during the first three editions.
Punjab Government Focuses on Sports Infrastructure
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the Punjab Government is developing infrastructure and support systems to identify and nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level.
According to the Chief Minister, 3,148 ‘Pendu Khed Maidan’ rural sports grounds are being developed across Punjab, with 750 already inaugurated.
The government is also establishing 6,000 gyms, of which 500 have already been dedicated to the public in the first phase.
In addition, ₹12.50 crore was transferred directly into the bank accounts of 9,501 athletes for purchasing sports equipment.
₹1,744 Crore Sports Budget
CM Mann said that for the first time in Punjab’s history, ₹1,744 crore has been earmarked exclusively for sports.
He said that since 2022, prize money amounting to ₹135 crore has been distributed among 40,415 athletes.
Under the New Sports Policy, financial assistance is also being provided to athletes preparing for major international competitions. The government is providing ₹15 lakh for Olympic preparation and ₹8 lakh for preparation for Asian and Commonwealth Games.
So far, ₹15 crore has been distributed to athletes for training and preparation, according to the Chief Minister.
Punjab Athletes Aim for Greater Olympic Success
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed confidence in Punjab’s sporting talent and said that the state has the potential to make an even bigger contribution to Indian sports.
He expressed the expectation that Punjab’s players will win more than 10 medals for India at the 2036 Olympics.
He also highlighted the presence of several prominent Punjab-origin athletes and captains in Indian sport, including Indian hockey captain Harmanpreet Singh, Indian men’s cricket captain Shubman Gill, Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Indian basketball captain Palpreet Singh Brar.
Asian Hockey Champions Trophy to be Hosted in Punjab
The Chief Minister also said Punjab will host the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy for the first time since Independence, with matches scheduled to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali during October-November.
He said the tournament will provide people in Punjab an opportunity to watch leading hockey players compete on their home soil.
Grand Opening Ceremony in Bathinda
The inauguration ceremony at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium featured vibrant cultural performances, including Bhangra and Giddha, highlighting Punjab’s cultural heritage and sporting spirit.
Punjabi singer Gurdas Maan and Kulwinder Billa performed during the ceremony.
A symbolic balloon release by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Gurdas Maan marked the formal beginning of the fourth season of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026.
The Torch ceremony also featured leading athletes including Gurpreet Singh (Athletics), Rupinder Pal Singh (Hockey), Lovepreet Singh (Weightlifting), Harjinder Kaur (Weightlifting), Avtar Singh (Judo), Simranjeet Singh (Hockey), Avneet Kaur (Shooting) and Gurjant Singh (Hockey).
World Championship medal winner Parneet Kaur (Archery) administered the oath to the players, while Asian Games medal winner Charanjeet Singh led the flag march.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann appealed to parents across Punjab to encourage their children to participate in sports, stressing that sporting participation can help children develop fitness, discipline, confidence, team spirit and determination.
He said the ultimate objective of Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan is to connect Punjab’s youth with sports and help the state regain its position as a leading sporting state in India.
