3 min readLudhianaFeb 1, 2025 08:02 AM IST
First published on: Feb 1, 2025 at 07:59 AM IST
The Punjab government will soon restart the popular bullock cart races at the Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Punjab cabinet minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond announced while inaugurating the three-day event at the village stadium on Friday afternoon.
“These races have been a major attraction and a beloved sport at the games. The government is considering issuing a notification regarding their resumption, and I have also requested the chief minister’s support for this,” he said.
The Kila Raipur Rural Games, also known as the “Rural Olympics,” began in 1933, founded by Inder Singh Grewal to promote rural sports and traditional Punjabi culture. The Grewal Sports Association had been organising the event until 2018, when a legal dispute over the sports stadium’s land ownership halted proceedings. The matter was resolved in 2023 in favour of the Patti Suhavia faction of the village. From 2024 onwards, the Punjab government took charge of organising the games.
Bullock cart races, once the main attraction, were banned in 2014 following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order, which enforced the Supreme Court’s 2014 ruling prohibiting the use of bulls in entertainment events under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, due to concerns about animal cruelty.
Efforts to lift the ban have been ongoing. In 2019, the Punjab Legislative Assembly passed The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill-2019 to allow bullock cart racing. In February 2024, BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill met Union Minister Hardeep Puri to seek central intervention for reinstating the races, highlighting their cultural significance. Despite these efforts, as of January 2025, the races have not resumed, with the state government yet to finalise the required regulations.
During his address, Minister Sond emphasised the state government’s commitment to elevating sports in Punjab. He announced a budget of Rs 75 lakh for organising these historic games, benefiting sports and athletes in the state. He also highlighted increased cash awards for athletes winning medals at the Olympics and other international competitions.
He noted that the Rural Olympics provide a platform for participants of all ages, from children to senior citizens, to showcase their skills across various sports. He also praised the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, for ensuring smooth arrangements for the event and its participants.
The opening day featured competitions in ten different activities, including men’s and women’s hockey, kabaddi (national style) for girls under 14 and 17, 60m and 100m races for boys and girls, 1500m races for men and women, 400m race heats and finals, kho-kho, volleyball for men, shooting events, and traditional rural games.
The festivities continued with a musical performance by popular Punjabi singer Preet Harpal on Friday evening, followed by performances from Virasat Sandhu on February 1 and Kulwinder Billa on February 2.
Bullock cart races, once the main attraction, were banned in 2014 following a Punjab and Haryana High Court order. (Source: Express Archives) 
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