The sports festival named 'Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan-2026' has commenced in Bathinda, Punjab state. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated his goal is to bring the state's sporting abilities onto the world stage.
The fourth season of the event will gather approximately one million athletes aged from 14 to over 70, covering 39 sports, including four Paralympic disciplines. According to an official statement, the festival's start in Bathinda will conclude in Patiala on November 29, and winners will be awarded ₹12.50 crore in prize money, including cash awards for veterans for the first time.
On the occasion of the opening, Mann also presented the 2026 World Cup to silver medalists Harjinder Kaur and Lavpreet Singh, each receiving ₹50 lakh. The opening ceremony of the fourth season featured various performances, such as Bhangra and Gidda. Legendary Punjabi artists Gurdas Mann and Kulwinder Billa also performed at the ceremony.
Announcing the opening at Shahid Bhagat Singh Stadium, Mann emphasized: 'We are known for our valor, entrepreneurial spirit, and sporting ethos, which has always led us to succeed in all fields. These games are intended to channel this spirit and provide our youth with a platform to achieve success in sports.'
The Minister announced that tennis cricket for boys and girls will be included for the first time as a demonstration sport within the festival. Bhagwant Singh Mann noted that 'Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan' is the best platform for discovering, nurturing, and honing hidden sporting talents from the villages and cities of Punjab, adding that the state government aims to prepare children for national and international competitions.
For the first time, veterans will also receive monetary prizes. He specified that state-level winners will receive ₹10,000 for a gold medal, ₹7,000 for a silver, and ₹5,000 for a bronze. Additionally, athletes under 40 who win medals will receive certification certificates, allowing them to benefit from sports quotas when seeking employment in government institutions.
Under the New Sports Policy, Mann also announced financial assistance for athletes preparing for major competitions. Fifteen lakh rupees are allocated for Olympic Games preparation, and eight lakh rupees for Asian and Olympic Games preparation. To date, athletes have been distributed ₹15 crore for training and preparation.
Regarding sports infrastructure, Mann reported that 3,148 rural sports grounds are being developed across the state, 750 of which have already been inaugurated. The creation of six thousand gyms is also planned, with 500 already handed over to the public in the first phase. Furthermore, ₹12.50 crore has been directly transferred to the bank accounts of 9,501 athletes for the purchase of sports equipment.