Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann visited the historic Raizada Hansraj Stadium in Jalandhar to review preparations for the Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship, which is scheduled to be held in December this year. The return of a national-level badminton championship to Jalandhar after nearly 44 years marks a major boost for Punjab’s rich sporting tradition and growing sports culture.
During his visit, the Chief Minister announced a special grant of ₹2.14 crore for the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor badminton hall at the stadium. He handed over the cheque to Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia and Punjab Badminton Association Secretary Ritin Khanna. The Public Works Department will undertake the project, with the tender process expected to begin soon and construction likely to commence in August.
Under the proposed project, the existing four outdoor multipurpose courts will be converted into a modern indoor badminton facility. Once completed, the Raizada Hansraj Stadium will have a total of 10 indoor badminton courts, making it the largest indoor badminton complex in Punjab and positioning it among the leading badminton centres in North India.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the modern facility would significantly strengthen Punjab’s ability to host national and international badminton tournaments. He also interacted with players, coaches and sports officials and reviewed the existing sports infrastructure at the stadium. The Chief Minister assured the badminton fraternity that the Punjab Government would extend all possible support for the successful conduct of the championship.
He said Punjab has a rich sporting tradition and has produced several great athletes for the country. The government is committed to developing world-class sports infrastructure and providing young talent with the right facilities and opportunities to excel.
CM Mann said the government’s continued investment in sports infrastructure and athlete development was already producing encouraging results, with Punjab’s players making their mark in national and international competitions. He reiterated that the government would continue its efforts to promote sports and create world-class facilities for the youth of Punjab.
