AAP Youth Wing to Organise Marathon in Mohali on August 9 to Promote Fitness and a Drug-Free Punjab
Chandigarh, August 6
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab Youth Wing on Thursday announced a state-wide campaign to encourage young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and stay away from drugs, beginning with a 5.5-kilometre Marathon to be held in Mohali on August 9. The marathon will start from Sri Amb Sahib Gurdwara and is expected to witness the participation of thousands of youth from across Punjab.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab Youth Development Board Chairman Parminder Goldy, AAP Punjab Youth Wing President and MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, and Youth Wing Vice President Veer Davinder Singh Ballan said the initiative aims to inspire the youth to embrace sports and contribute towards building a "Rangla Punjab".
Parminder Goldy said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has consistently prioritised youth welfare and sports development. He highlighted that over 3,100 sports grounds have been developed across the state, indoor and outdoor gyms have been established, and sports kits will soon be distributed at the village level. He added that the Youth Wing has also formed 21-member clubs in villages across Punjab, which are actively taking the government's pro-people policies to the grassroots.
He appealed to Punjab's youth to participate in the marathon by registering through the online link released by the organisers, adding that the campaign would be expanded to other districts in the coming months.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura said physical fitness not only strengthens the body but also improves mental well-being and self-confidence. He said a strong and healthy youth is essential for building a strong Punjab. He urged young people to spend more time on playgrounds and in sports activities, as this would naturally help keep them away from the menace of drugs.
Lalpura thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for making significant investments in sports infrastructure, including stadiums and gyms across villages, saying these initiatives are providing the right direction and opportunities to Punjab's youth.
Youth Wing Vice President Veer Davinder Singh Ballan said the marathon is part of the Youth Wing's larger mission to connect youngsters with sports and spread the message of a healthy, drug-free Punjab. He informed that the event will feature a 5.5-kilometre run across four age categories, with prizes for top performers.
Ballan revealed that nearly 3,000 participants have already registered for the event, and the organisers expect the number to cross 5,000 before the marathon. He said both professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts are expected to participate, making it one of the largest youth fitness events organised by the party.
The Youth Wing leaders appealed to the youth of Punjab to join the initiative in large numbers and become ambassadors of fitness, sports and a drug-free society. They reiterated that the campaign would continue across the state to inspire more young people to adopt a healthy lifestyle and contribute to the progress of Punjab.
