Dedicating to 115th Birth Anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam S. Bhagat Singh, the District Administration today organised half-marathon ‘Daud Jalandhar’, which started from local Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in which youngsters as well as veterans also participated with full enthusiasm.
World renowned athlete Fauja Singh, retired officer of the Indian Army and para athlete Major DP Singh, Olympian Surinder Singh Sodhi and several other prominent faces were there to boost the people towards good health. More than 3000 participants joined the run not only from across the district but also from other districts and states.
Besides participating the half-marathon, MLA Nakodar Inderjit Kaur Mann and Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh also flagged off the ‘Daud Jalandhar’ giving a clarion call to youngsters to wean away from drugs to fulfill the dreams of healthy society. Half marathon was of three segments including five, 10 and 21.1 km organised in association with the One Race and Capital Small Finance Bank.
MLA Mann pointed out that sports could play a significant role in channelising the energy of youngsters towards right direction thus paving a way for healthy society. She said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led State Government had taken several sports initiatives to motivate youth for sports, which could also ensure rid from drugs. Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan, said the MLA, is a big step of the State Government to give a fillip to sports for further strengthening the sports culture in every nook & corner of Punjab. She also urged the people to actively participate in such efforts of Government at grassroots level so as to ensure trend of sports activities amongst budding players.
Deputy Commissioner Jaspreet Singh also emphasised that sports activities should be part of our daily routine with giving time to favourite games everyday. Youngsters should stay away from drugs and adopt sports to realise the dreams dreamt by our great martyrs and freedom fighters, said the Deputy Commissioner appealing the residents to keep city clean, green & pollution free. The MLA and Deputy Commissioner also honoured the winners of half-marathon including Sahil Gill in men and Ekta in women categories of 21.1 km. Similarly, in 10 km run Tarun Kumar and Gurpreet Kaur were the winners in both categories whereas in five km Tushar Dahiya and Anju Yadav were the winners.
Besides MLA Mann along with family, ADC Major Amit Sareen, ADCP Aditya, SDMs Balbir Raj Singh, AC (UT) Pankaj Bansal and others were also participated in the half marathon. CEO of India Khalsa Aid Amarpreet Singh, MD Capital Small Finance Bank Sarvjit Singh Samra were also present on the occasion.