The minister was addressing the sports lovers gathered on the second day of annual sports tournament at Gujjarwal village, 20 km from here.

The minister informed that to ensure proper flow of funds for the promotion of sports, the government is near finalizing its new sports policy. He said that government had decided to start the recruitment of out standing players in civil and police department, and prizes of Rs One crore, 50 lakh and 25 lakh to the Punjab players who win gold, silver and bronze medal respectively in the Olympic Games.

Capt Singh said that the state government has set up a separate employment department exclusively, to explore new jobs created with the modernization of industry in the state. He said that this wing is also providing assistance and guidance to youth in getting training in various ventures, and getting jobs in the different parts of country and abroad.

Expressing concern over the use of drugs and intoxicants in the rural youth, the minister exhorted the sports and youth clubs to divert the energies of youth towards sports and other constructive activities. Appreciating the efforts of rural sports clubs in organizing sports festivals on large scale in all parts of the state, he said that these clubs were playing an important role for the promotion of sports in rural areas.