Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today said, “While AAP is fighting against corruption, drugs, and unemployment, the Opposition are busy fighting only for a chair.”Mann, who inaugurated more than 500 modern “Pendu Khed Maidans” across the state from Dedhna village in Patiala, said, “All senior leaders of the Punjab Congress are busy fighting with each other and cannot even sit face to face. The Akali Dal is eagerly waiting for the BJP to open its alliance doors. These parties are not interested in Punjab but self-service.”Earlier, the CM said the Punjab Government would develop 3,100 grounds this year with Rs 1,744 crore sports budget, including 600 rural gyms, and greater financial support for sportspersons.Mann said, “We aim to promote sports activities and provide world-class facilities at the grassroots level. Punjab is working with the objective of creating a healthy body and mind. In the first phase, we dedicated 255 Pendu Khed Maidans to Punjabis.”Of the 509 Pendu Khed Maidans, 43 are in Ludhiana, 41 in Mansa, 36 in Sangrur, 34 each in Bathinda and Patiala, 33 in Muktsar and 32 in Amritsar, besides other districts,” he added.He said, “These Pendu Khed Maidans will make an effective contribution to the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign.”“Sports equipment is being provided to players according to the need of each village,” he said, adding that Punjab has dedicated the year 2026 to sports and sportspersons.The CM said the fourth season of “Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan” would commence from Bathinda on September 5, with an estimated participation of 10 lakh players. He added that, for the first time, Punjab would host the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 26 to November 3.“A T20 cricket league on the lines of the IPL is also being organised in Punjab, which will be played at the PCA stadium, Mohali, from August 30 to September 13,” Mann said.


