Patiala, Aug. 25 -- In a major boost for grassroots sports, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday inaugurated more than 500 modern "Pendu Khed Maidan" across various districts, taking the total number of dedicated grounds to 734. Speaking following the inauguration ceremony in Patiala, the chief minister said the initiative will provide rural youthwith world-class sporting facilities while strengthening thegovernment's fight against drugs by promoting the message of "Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Sports"'. Mann said his government was developing 3,100 Pendu Khed Maidan across Punjab this year with a Rs.1,744-crore sports budget, including Rs.1,500 crore specifically for these grounds, alongside 600 rural gyms and greater financial support for sportspersons. "Punjab is working with the objective of creating a healthy body and a healthy mind. After dedicating 255 Pendu Khed Maidan in the first phase, we are today dedicating another 509 to the people under the second phase," the chief minister said. "Out of the 509 grounds, 43 are in Ludhiana, 41 in Mansa, 36 in Sangrur, 34 each in Bathinda and Patiala, 33 in Muktsar and 32 in Amritsar, besides those being dedicated in other districts," he added. He noted that the rural grounds will provide facilities for volleyball, football, cricket and other popular traditional sports. Activities for children and senior citizens would also be organised so that sports and physical activity become an integral part of everyone's life. "These grounds would also become symbols of community harmony and togetherness in villages," he added. Mann affirmed, "The Pendu Khed Maidan are being equipped with modern infrastructure, including high-mast lights for night-time sporting activities, footlights along walking tracks, chain-link fencing and other facilities. Plantation is also being undertaken around the grounds to promote greenery and a healthy environment." He said Punjab had dedicated the year 2026 to sports and sportspersons. "This year, 3,100 Pendu Khed Maidan will be completed in Punjab. Alongside this, 6,000 rural gyms are being established, of which 500 have already been inaugurated," he said. Expressing grief over the untimely death of kabaddi player Gurjit Singh Toot due to kidney disease, the chief minister on Monday announced a sports stadium in his memory at Toot, his native village in Ferozepur. Mann met the deceased player's family at their village and announced a state government job for the player's wife. Expressing grief over the loss of Punjab's promising sporting talent, he said. "Gurjit Singh Toot made a valuable contribution to kabaddi and to immortalise his contribution and keep his memory alive, a sports stadium will be constructed in his village." Mann also met a delegation from National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) in Chandigarh. Stating that Punjab was fast emerging as a major IT destination, with Mohali set to become a leading hub for artificial intelligence, digital innovation and global capability centres, he invited NASSCOM to partner with Punjab for the state-of-the-art startup incubator in Mohali and contribute to strengthening the innovation ecosystem....