By Amrit Pal Singh Sidhu
Bathinda, September 13, 2026:
Punjab Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman today reached Bathinda to participate in the opening of Marathon-2026, calling upon people, particularly the youth, to embrace sports and help build a healthier and stronger Punjab.
Ghuman was warmly welcomed on his arrival at Lake View by senior leaders and representatives of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Gurpreet Singh GP, State President, AAP SC Wing; Chuspinder Chahal, Chairman, Zila Parishad, Mansa; Paramjit Kotfatta, Secretary, Punjab Kisan Wing, AAP; and Harmander Brar, In-charge, School Education Wing, Punjab. As a mark of respect, the leaders presented a kirpan to Ghuman.
Speaking on the occasion, Ghuman said that he had come to Bathinda to participate in the third marathon being organised as part of the initiative to promote fitness, sports and a healthy lifestyle among people.
He said the earlier marathons organised at Mohali and Jalandhar had received an overwhelming response, with students, women and people from different sections of society participating in large numbers.
“Marathons are not merely sporting events; they are a movement to encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and reconnect the younger generation with sports,” Ghuman said.
He expressed confidence that the Bathinda marathon would also witness an enthusiastic response, with around 20,000 people expected to participate in the event.
‘We want to erase the image of Udta Punjab’
Ghuman said the larger objective behind promoting sports and organising such events was to change the perception associated with Punjab and showcase the state as a land of sporting talent, energy and opportunities.
“Our target is to remove the stigma of ‘Udta Punjab’ that has been attached to the state. We want to tell the world that this is now a ‘Khedda Punjab’ — a Punjab of sports and not ‘Udta Punjab’,” he said.
He said the state government was making concerted efforts to provide young people with opportunities to channelise their energy into constructive activities, particularly sports.
Referring to the government’s ‘Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan’ initiative, Ghuman said the sporting programme had become a major platform for encouraging participation at the grassroots level.
He said the initiative was unique as it was attracting participation from three generations, thereby bringing children, youngsters, adults and senior citizens together on the same sporting platform.
According to Ghuman, prize money amounting to around Rs 14 crore has been kept for the sporting competitions, while approximately 10 lakh children are expected to participate in the various activities.
Sports budget increased from Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,700 crore
Highlighting the Punjab Government’s focus on developing sports infrastructure and supporting athletes, Ghuman said the sports budget had witnessed a major increase under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
He said the allocation for sports had been increased from around Rs 100 crore to Rs 1,700 crore, describing the increase as a significant achievement and an indication of the government’s commitment to transforming Punjab into a leading sporting state.
Ghuman further said that, for the first time in Punjab, financial assistance of Rs 8 lakh per player was being provided to athletes preparing for major international competitions, including the Olympic Games, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
He said such support was aimed at ensuring that talented players did not have to struggle financially while preparing for national and international-level competitions.
Focus on building a ‘Rangla Punjab’
Ghuman said the government’s vision was not limited to organising sporting events but was aimed at creating a long-term sporting culture across Punjab.
He said greater participation in sports would help youngsters remain physically fit, build discipline and confidence and stay away from unhealthy habits.
“Punjab has immense sporting potential. Our responsibility is to provide the right platform, resources and encouragement to our players so that they can bring laurels to the state and the country,” he said.
He added that the government was committed to strengthening Punjab’s image as a state of sports, talent, youth power and positive energy.
“We will not rest until we make Punjab a ‘Rangla Punjab’ a prosperous, vibrant and progressive Punjab,” Ghuman asserted.
The Bathinda Marathon-2026 witnessed participation from people across different age groups, reflecting the growing enthusiasm for fitness and sporting activities in the region. The event was projected not merely as a marathon but as part of the wider campaign to promote a healthier lifestyle and establish Punjab’s identity as a state increasingly driven by sports and sporting excellence.