TARN TARAN, DEC 14 :As many as 1500 participants from 22 States and Union Territories will take part in the inaugural four-day National Panchayat Yuva Karida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKAKA) Tournament for boys and girls under-16 at the Guru Arjun Dev Stadium here from tomorrow. The Punjab Sports Department, which is hosting the meet, has deputed 150 officials for the smooth conduct of the tournament.
Punjab Sports Director Padam Shree Pargat Singh said that the PYKAKA sports meet was being conducted under the new scheme of Government of India, Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Sports Director explained that three-fourth population of our country lives in villages where sports facilities are lacking.
Keeping this in view, the Centre has launched the Panchayat Yuva Karida Aur Khel Abhiyan Scheme from 2008-09. Under this innovative scheme, the stress will to develop play grounds in all villages of the country in the next 10 years. There is a target to cover 10 per cent villages and blocks in one year. It has also been decided that not more than 20 per cent of villages in one block will be covered in one calendar year.
The scheme will encourage sportsmen/women into sports, develop sports infrastructure and provide sports equipment, give an opportunity to participate in block, district and state level competitions and to provide training to players for state, national and international competitions.
Jalandhar Division Deputy Director Sports Hazari lal Sharma said that competitions would be conducted in football, volleyball, weightlifting and tug of war. Competitions in football and tug of war will be conducted at the main stadium while volleyball matches will be played at Maharaja Ranjit Singh School. Government College is the venue of the weightlifting competitions.
Pargat Singh said that Punjab Sports Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike will inaugurate the tournament at 11.00 a.m tomorrow. Tarn Taran MLA Harmeet Sngh Sandhu will be the guest of honour. Punjab Rural Development and Punchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahampura will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony on December 18 at 3.00 p.m.