Chandigarh: After being canceled in 2025 due to devastating floods, 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' Season 4 is making a grand return. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced in Chandigarh that the sporting extravaganza will begin on September 5 in Bathinda and conclude with a grand closing ceremony on November 29 in Patiala. With the Mashal Yatra (torch relay) already underway and online registrations opening soon, the state anticipates a massive participation of nearly 10 lakh athletes this year.

Key Highlights of Season 4:

• 38 Sporting Events: Competitions will span across various age categories, from Under-14 to over 70 years.

• New Additions: Tennis Ball Cricket has been introduced to the games for the first time.

• Financial Backing for Athletes: Over the last 4.5 years, the government has disbursed over ₹135 crores in cash prizes to 40,415 athletes. Additionally, athletes heading for national and international events are now being provided upfront funding for their training—a first-of-its-kind initiative.

Punjab Leading Indian Sports: The government highlighted the state's monumental contribution to national sports, noting that four captains of major Indian national teams hail from Punjab: Harmanpreet Singh (Men's Hockey), Harmanpreet Kaur (Women's Cricket), Shubman Gill (Men's Cricket), and Talpreet Singh Brar (Men's Basketball).

Boost to Grassroots Infrastructure: To further strengthen sports at the village level, the state is constructing 3,148 sports grounds, of which 250 have already been inaugurated. Furthermore, out of a target to establish 6,000 local gyms, 500 have already been dedicated to the public.