Ferozepur (Vikramditya Sharma)

Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi today laid down the foundation stone of 400 meter (eight lane) synthetic athletic track at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in this border town. The overall cost of the project will be Rs. 7 crores. The cabinet minister also got the construction work started for laying down the Astroturf at the hockey stadium. Notably, this project worth Rs. 5.5 crores was announced on September 28 last year.

On this occasion Rana Sodhi said that in the past, this border district has produced a number of world class hockey players including Olympians Harmeet Singh, Ajit Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh. “Even my uncle Gurharnamvir Singh used to play hockey and was a renowned player of this region in 1953-54. Being a sportsman myself, I want to uplift the standards of the sports facilities. Now we will have a world class athletic track besides an Astroturf hockey stadium which will encourage the youngsters to play the game and come to the stadium”, said Rana Sodhi.

Rana Sodhi said that in the past, this border district has produced a number of world class hockey players including Olympians Harmeet Singh, Ajit Singh, Gagan Ajit Singh. “Even my uncle Gurharnamvir Singh used to play hockey and was a renowned player of this region in 1953-54.

“This initiative would give ample opportunity to the players of the border areas to showcase their skills and reach the international level to make the name of the state and the country brighter. Besides, the state government has also established Punjab Institute of Sports for 100 sports students in the stadium. Besides, there is a proposal to start rowing academy in this region also”, he further added.

Sodhi also lauded the Manjit Kaur Saini, SP (PBI) who also had been an International athlete and has represented Indian in Olympics also. Sodhi said that Arjuna awardee Manjit has won three gold medal in Asian games and two gold medals in Commonwealth games.

On this occasion, District Sports Officer Parminder Singh Olympian Ajit Singh, Ronjan Sodhi (Shooting), Veeran Sodhi (Asian Champion), Harnarain Singh Laddi (former International Hockey player), Hockey Coach Manmeet Singh Rubbal, Sunil Kumar Sharma former Deputy Director (Sports) and XEN Sports Sanjay Mahajan were also present.