Sonepat,
Punjab Police won the 66th All-India Police Hockey Championship today, defeating BSF 3-0 in the final of the championship that concluded at the MNSS in Rai, Sonepat district.

CRPF managed to get third place in the championship by defeating ITBP 6-3. A total of 24 hockey teams from different states and other police forces participated in the championship.

Presiding over the prize distribution function, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said due to the sports promotion policies of the state government, Haryana was fast emerging as the sports hub of the country.

He said besides opening sports nurseries in 500 schools, the government was also going to open sports gymnasium in 1,500 villages and appoint coaches in 500 villages in the state.

“The government has fixed cash awards of Rs six crore, Rs four crore and Rs 2.50 crore for the winners of gold, silver and bronze medals, respectively in the Olympics,” said Khattar, adding that even the Olympic participants were being given cash amount of Rs 15 lakh each.

Claiming that Haryana was the first state in the country to open women police stations at district headquarters, he said there was 3 per cent reservation in government services for sportspersons.

“The reservation for women in police services has also been increased from six to eight per cent and there is a target to increase it to 30 per cent,” he said.

Director General of Haryana Police (DGP) BS Sandhu and Director General of Madhuban Police Academy also listed the activities of the championship.