Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann reviewed preparations for the upcoming Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship, scheduled to be held in December at the historic Hansraj Stadium in Jalandhar, marking the return of the prestigious national tournament to the venue after 44 years. During his visit, the Chief Minister announced a special grant of Rs 2.14 crore for the construction of a state-of-the-art indoor badminton hall, handing over the check to Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varjit Singh Walia and Punjab Badminton Association Secretary Ritin Khanna.
Highlighting the significance of the development, CM Mann noted that this marks the first time in nearly six decades that a sitting Chief Minister has visited the iconic stadium, which has produced numerous legendary badminton players. The project, to be executed by the Public Works Department (PWD) with construction expected to begin in August, will transform four existing outdoor multipurpose courts into a world-class indoor facility. Once completed, the Hansraj Stadium will feature a total of 10 indoor courts, making it Punjab’s largest indoor badminton complex and a premier hub for the sport in North India.
Emphasizing the state government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure and channeling the youth’s energy positively, the Chief Minister recalled Punjab’s deep-rooted heritage in physical training and sports nurtured by the Sikh Gurus. He assured the sports fraternity of full governmental support for the seamless hosting of the December tournament, which will feature the Under-13 category and significantly boost the sports culture across the state.
