A hockey match between India and Pakistan is set to take place on November 1 during the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy. This announcement was made by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during an event organized in Chandigarh to honor the state’s athletes. During the ceremony, a total sum exceeding ₹45 crore was distributed, and several key announcements were made.
During the event, the Chief Minister also declared that a hockey match between India and Pakistan would be hosted in Punjab on November 1. Following this announcement by the Chief Minister, a palpable sense of excitement was observed among the athletes and sports enthusiasts present at the venue. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the land of Punjab has consistently produced exceptional athletes for the nation, and the state government remains committed to providing every possible facility to these players. He emphasized that promoting sports is among the government’s top priorities, and in the near future, Punjab will be transformed into a major hub for sports. During the ceremony, 1,070 athletes were honored with a total prize money of ₹27.70 crore for winning medals in various national and international competitions.
**Cricket Team Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Honored**
At this ceremony, Indian women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur, along with Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur, were honored with a cash award of ₹1.5 crore each. Shooter Amanpreet Singh received a prize of ₹1.542 crore, Neeraj Kumar received ₹1.5225 crore, and Kirandeep Kaur received ₹1.5125 crore.
Additionally, powerlifter Paramjit Singh was awarded ₹55 lakh; shooter Arjun Singh Cheema received ₹54 lakh; Akshay Jain received ₹51.50 lakh; and Kritika Sharma received ₹50 lakh. Shooter Sift Kaur Samra was honored with ₹34 lakh, while badminton players Raj Kumar and Vijayveer Sidhu were honored with cash awards of ₹30 lakh and ₹28.50 lakh, respectively. Similarly, Simranpreet Kaur Brar will receive a sum of ₹26.55 lakh, Kushal Kumar ₹25 lakh, Bhavtegh Singh Gill ₹24.50 lakh, Palak Kohli ₹22.75 lakh, and Arshdeep Kaur ₹21.95 lakh.
**₹15 Crore to be Deposited Directly into Accounts**
The Chief Minister also announced that a sum of ₹15 crore would be transferred directly into the players’ accounts to enable them to purchase sports equipment. The government states that this initiative will ensure players have access to better training and facilities.
During the event, it was also highlighted that the Department of Youth Services is currently constructing a ‘Yuva Bhawan’ (Youth Center) in Sector 42, Chandigarh. A total of ₹43.66 crore will be spent on this project. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also laid the foundation stone for this building.
The Chief Minister stated that, alongside honoring its athletes, the Punjab government is working vigorously to strengthen sports infrastructure, thereby enabling the state’s youth to bring glory to the nation on the international stage.
