According to POA president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Member Parliament, more than 700 participants, including foreign players, would take part in the Sports Festival which is part of the 300 years of birth of Khalsa celebrations. Competitions would be conducted in cart race, tug of war, kabaddi, wrestling, shooting and equestrian.

Renowned clubs which take part in the Kila Raipur Games, popularly known as `Rural Olympics' would get an opportunity to display their skills. Keen contest will be witnessed for the tug of war honours. The competitions will not be confined to three Indian teams. United Kingdom, USA, Canada and Pakistan have confirmed their participation. The teams from these countries will also compete in the kabaddi competition (circle style). Freestyle competitions in six weight categories will also be organised.

Besides the foreign entries, wrestlers from Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh will also be taking part. Riders from Services, Punjab Police and Haryana Police will compete in the equestrian competitions.

The top four position holders in wrestling will be given handsome cash award. The gold medallists in each category will be awarded Rs one lakh each.

According to P S Virk, a member of the organising committee, the total expenses, including cash prizes, would be around Rs 50 lakh. The foreign participants would be staying in Chandigarh. The competitions would be held from 3 to 5 p.m. each day, except on the opening day. The meet will be inaugurated on April 9 at 10 a.m.

`Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh, hockey Olympians Udham Singh, Balbir Singh (senior and junior), wrestler Dara Singh, IOC member Ashwani Kumar, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi would be among the guests of honour. Punjab veterans, who won medals in Olympics, Commonwealth, Asian Games and World Cup, would also be honoured on the occasion.

The wrestling competitions have been sponsored by a Mumbai business and Sohrab Industries of Malerkotla is sponsoring the kabaddi competitions.