Chandigarh: On the occasion of National Sports Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the “Wizard of Hockey,” a grand event was held at Guru Nanak Dev Auditorium, Raj Bhavan Chandigarh to honor national and international medal winners who have brought pride to the nation through their remarkable achievements in various sports disciplines. Sh. Gulab Chand Kataria, the Governor of Punjab and Administrator UT Chandigarh, graced the event as the chief guest alongwith Sh. Rajeev Verma, Advisor to the Administrator as the Guest of Honour .
Sh. Kataria extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the players, their coaches, and family members for their dedication and hard work. He emphasized the historical significance of sports in India, tracing back to ancient times, and praised the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for promoting sports across the nation. In his address, the Governor emphasized the unifying power of sports, stating, “Sports can bind society together. If you want to eliminate the differences of caste and religion, then send the child to the sports field, where neither Hindu nor Muslim is seen.”
He stressed that sports promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and values such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance, which are essential for a united society. The Governor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision 2047, which aims to transform India into a sporting superpower.
He highlighted the comprehensive roadmap reflecting Modi’s belief in sports as a vital tool for nation-building. With strategic investments, inclusive policies, and a commitment to excellence, India is poised to reach new heights in the global sporting arena by 2047. The Governor highlighted the Government of India's substantial increase in the sports budget over the last decade, with a special mention of the Khelo India Games, under which over 3,000 athletes are receiving financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per month.
He also noted that the "Khelo India Rising Talent Identification" (KIRTI) program, which commenced in Chandigarh this March, is a significant step forward in nurturing young talent. In recognition of the efforts by the Punjab Government and UT Chandigarh Administration in promoting sports and keeping youth away from drugs, Sh. Kataria lauded the initiatives like the 'Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan' and the street cricket program in Chandigarh.
He also praised the progressive sports policy launched by the Chandigarh Administration last year, which offers substantial cash prizes to Olympic medalists. The Governor proudly recounted India's achievements in the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Indian athletes won a total of six medals, including a silver medal by Neeraj Chopra in javelin throw, and multiple bronze medals in shooting, wrestling, and hockey. He also acknowledged the contribution of eight players from Punjab who were part of the Indian hockey team that won a bronze medal at the Olympics, and expressed particular pride in the achievements of Chandigarh-born athletes Sanjay, Gurjant Singh, Manu Bhaker, and Sarabjot Singh.
During the event, 311 national and international level athletes from Chandigarh were awarded cash prizes totaling approximately Rs 4 crore in recognition of their outstanding achievements in various sports categories. Sh. K.Siva Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary to Governor Punjab , Smt. Hargunjit Kaur, Finance Secretyary Sh. Hari Kallikat, Secretary Sports , Sh Sorabh Arora, Director Sports , Sports Coaches and other officers of the Chandigarh Administration were also present during the event.