category Regional, amritsar, , tags Regional, amritsar, , DW BUREAU Amritsar Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday envisioned that with the concerted efforts of his government, the state will soon emerge as a front ranking state across the country in the fields of sports. Addressing the gathering during a cricket match organised as a part of Hope Initiative, a brainchild of the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab government has laid major thrust on the promotion of games in the state. He said that the result of this is that Punjabis have bagged 19 medals in the recently concluded Asian games, which is the highest tally of states in Asiad, since its inception. Bhagwant Singh Mann it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that out of 68 goals scored in the Hockey event in the games 43 were scored by the members of the Indian Hockey squad from Punjab. The Chief Minister further said that Punjabis have been blessed with an indomitable spirit to conquer every field of their choice. He said that due to this Punjabis have proved their mettle across the globe with their hard work and dedication. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that now that the Punjabis have decided to wipe out the curse of drugs from the state, the day is not far when Punjab will be completely drug free. The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to revive the sports culture in the state and the cricket matches being organised under this initiative are a part of it. He said that the state government is making concerted efforts for wiping out the menace of drugs from the state for which sports is being encouraged. Bhagwant Singh Mann envisioned that this event will act as a catalyst in making Punjab a drug free state by promotion of sports. The Chief Minister also said that due to the strenuous efforts of the state government, the players of state are bringing laurels for the state in the games at national and international level. (editor dailyworld.in)