What this scheme offers
Balbir Singh Sr. captained India's hockey team and won three Olympic gold medals in an era when Indian hockey genuinely dominated the sport globally — a legacy Punjab's sports scholarship deliberately invokes to encourage the state's current generation of young athletes. Rather than waiting until a player has already proven themselves at a national level, the scholarship targets grassroots sportspersons, aimed at keeping talented young athletes training and competing through the years when private sponsorship isn't yet realistic but the cost of serious training already is.
Who is eligible
- Young sportsperson in Punjab at the grassroots/developmental level.
- Demonstrated sporting talent or achievement, per the scheme's selection criteria.
- Enrolled with a recognised sports academy, school sports programme, or district sports association.
Documents required
- Aadhaar card
- Proof of sporting achievement/participation (certificates, tournament records)
- School/academy enrollment proof
- Bank account details
How to apply
- Apply through your district Sports Department office or your sports academy/school's sports coordinator.
- Submit proof of sporting participation and achievement.
- Selection is typically merit-based, assessed by the Sports Department.
- Once approved, the scholarship amount is credited to support ongoing training and competition costs.
- Renew or reapply as required to continue receiving support in subsequent years.