In a powerful step to fight drug abuse and revive Punjab’s sporting spirit, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for the Burlton Park Sports Hub, a ₹78 crore project in Jalandhar.
The event was part of the ‘Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign. Kejriwal called it a historic day, saying this modern sports complex will help thousands of youngsters stay healthy and keep away from drugs. He added that the project will be the first-of-its-kind in India and will be ready within a year.
Kejriwal blamed traditional political parties for Punjab’s decline in sports and rise in drug issues. He praised the current government’s bold steps like seizing and demolishing drug smugglers’ properties through Operation Bulldoze. He also announced that sports stadiums will be built in every village, giving youth positive outlets for their energy.
He spoke about Punjab’s industry-friendly policies, the launch of the FastTrack Punjab Portal (for faster approvals to businesses), and the setting up of new industrial zones across the state. “Punjab, known for its courage and enterprise, is ready to lead India again,” he said.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also addressed the gathering, highlighting Jalandhar’s legacy in producing world-class hockey players. He said political negligence led to Punjab’s decline in athletics, but that’s now changing.
Mann announced that Burlton Park will be renamed in honour of a legendary Punjabi athlete, erasing its colonial name. He also revealed that international cricket stadiums will be built in Jalandhar and Amritsar, following the model in Mullanpur.
Proudly, he reminded everyone that India’s men’s and women’s cricket captains, and the football team captain, are all from Punjab. “The day is not far when Punjab will be number one in sports,” Mann said.
He assured the public that the government is fully committed to Punjab’s overall development, and the state’s old glory will soon be restored.
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