Hoshiarpur/ Sept 9/Daljeet Ajnoha — The fourth season of the Punjab government’s flagship sports initiative, “Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan”, is underway across the state, with Hoshiarpur district recording about 3,200 registrations so far and the process still open, Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain said at a press conference here on Wednesday.
****Opening, closing and scale of the event
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the fourth edition on September 5 at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium in Bathinda, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for November 29 in Patiala.
The 2026 edition is expected to draw up to 10 lakh participants from across Punjab, with competitions in 38 sports disciplines, four para-sports and tennis-ball cricket as an exhibition event.
Hoshiarpur: registrations, contacts and participation appeal
DC Ashika Jain said there has been strong enthusiasm among players and sports lovers in Hoshiarpur, with around 3,200 athletes already registered on the official portal sports.punjab.gov.in.
Players who could not register online can still sign up offline at the competition venue and participate.
For any information related to the games, contacts provided are: 98053-62172 and 94788-88777.
The DC appealed to youth, athletes and youth clubs to participate in large numbers and help make Punjab a leading sports state.
Other officials present included Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Rakesh Kumar Meena, OSD (Urban Affairs) Oashi Mandal, and District Sports Officer Surjit Singh.
Nine age groups, from under-14 to 70-plus
This season features nine age categories, ensuring a platform for every generation:
Under-14
Under-17
Under-21
21–30 years
31–40 years
41–50 years
51–60 years
61–70 years
Above 70 years
Both men’s and women’s events will be held, and winners will receive gradation certificates along with a share of a prize pool exceeding ₹12 crore (state-level announcements put the total at about ₹12.5 crore).
Competition calendar: block and district levels
The tournament is being conducted in stages:
Block level (till September 18)
Block-level contests in Hoshiarpur will continue till September 18 in seven sports:
Athletics
Kho-Kho
Kabaddi (National style)
Kabaddi (Circle style)
Football
Volleyball (Smashing)
Volleyball (Shooting)
District level (September 20–30)
District-level competitions are scheduled from September 20 to 30. Along with the seven block-level sports, 21 additional disciplines will be held directly at the district level, making a total of 28 sports at this stage. These include:
Handball, Softball
Judo, Gatka, Kickboxing
Hockey, Netball
Badminton, Basketball
Powerlifting, Lawn Tennis
Wrestling, Swimming
Boxing, Table Tennis
Weightlifting, Chess
Shooting, Fencing
Roller Skating, Archery
State-level competitions in all 38 sports are planned later, across multiple districts, before the grand finale in Patiala.
“Sports build discipline and confidence,” says DC
DC Ashika Jain underlined that sports are not just about physical fitness but also a vital tool for building discipline, self-confidence and team spirit.
“Players, youth and youth clubs of the district should ensure maximum participation and contribute to making Punjab a leader in the field of sports,” she said.
