Youngest athlete from Barnala district to participate in block-level games
Seven-year-olds Annu and Nimrat Kaur also participate in the Under-14 category
Barnala, September 12,2026 Fact Recorder
Punjab Desk: Under Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan 2026, people of all ages — from young children to senior citizens — are taking part with great enthusiasm in the block-level competitions in Barnala district.
A remarkable example of this sporting enthusiasm has emerged from the Sehna block of Barnala district, where six-year-old Ardaas Kaur participated in the 60-metre race in the Under-14 category and competed confidently against athletes considerably older than her.
Sports Coach Harnek Singh said that Ardaas Kaur, aged just six, was the youngest participant in the Under-14 category at the block-level competitions held in Sehna. Along with her, seven-year-old Annu Bhadaur and seven-year-old Nimrat Kaur also participated in the 60-metre race, displaying remarkable enthusiasm and determination.
Despite competing against older athletes, the young participants put up a strong performance and demonstrated that dedication and confidence can overcome the barriers of age.
Ardaas Kaur is a student of Prep 3 at Gobind International School, Bhadaur. Annu Bhadaur, who belongs to a migrant labourer family, studies at Government Primary School, Mohalla Jangi Ka, Bhadaur, while Nimrat Kaur is also a student of the same school. All three young girls have been undergoing regular training at the Public Stadium, Bhadaur, for nearly five months.
Coach Harnek Singh said that Ardaas Kaur is the youngest athlete to participate in the Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan competitions in both Mehal Kalan and Sehna blocks of Barnala district. He added that while regular coaching is provided to older children at the Public Stadium, Bhadaur, Ardaas Kaur’s father, retired Army personnel Gurbhajan Singh, along with Ravi Bains, conducts physical activities for younger children.
Sharing his daughter’s journey, Gurbhajan Singh, a resident of Bhadaur, said that he retired from the Army in March this year. Ardaas Kaur’s grandfather, Kuldeep Singh, is also an Ex-Serviceman.
After his retirement, Gurbhajan Singh established the Junior Fitness Club, Bhadaur, with the aim of encouraging children to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. Through the club, around 100 to 150 children between the ages of 5 and 14 participate in various physical activities at the Bhadaur Stadium every evening.
He said the initiative is helping children stay away from excessive mobile-phone use and encouraging them to become physically active through sports and exercise.
Ardaas Kaur has also been training through the Junior Fitness Club for nearly five months. During this short period, she has already demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm for fitness and athletics. She has set records in half push-ups and has secured positions in several Under-6 competitions, her father added.
District Sports Officer Rupesh Kumar said that the block-level competitions in Mehal Kalan and Sehna have been successfully conducted, while competitions for Block Barnala will be held on September 14 and 15.
“From children to the elderly, people are participating with great enthusiasm”
Deputy Commissioner of Barnala Harpreet Singh, IAS, stated that the block-level competitions of Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan are receiving a warm response in Barnala district. Participants ranging from six-year-old children to 80-year-old senior citizens are taking part, serving as a source of inspiration for the youth.
Caption: Participating in the 60-metre race at Bhadaur Stadium — Annu Bhadaur in the lead, Ardaas Kaur in the middle, and Nimrat Kaur on the right.
Caption: Ardaas Kaur participating in the 60-metre race.
