Jalandhar: The 74th All India Police Athletics Cluster 2025-26 concluded successfully today at the Punjab Armed Police Headquarters (PAP) in Jalandhar. The prestigious national-level sporting event was held from March 7 to March 12, 2026, bringing together police athletes from across the country to compete in various athletics disciplines.
The closing ceremony was attended by senior police officials and dignitaries. **M. F. Farooqui, IPS, Additional Director General of Police (State Armed Police), Jalandhar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while **Bidhu Shekhar, IPS, Joint Director of the Intelligence Bureau, attended as the Special Guest.
Upon the arrival of the Chief Guest, the audience was welcomed with vibrant cultural performances, including Giddha and Bhangra, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Punjab. The ceremony also featured a magnificent horse-riding show, which captivated the spectators and added grandeur to the event.
Earlier, **Inderbir Singh, IPS, DIG Administration, PAP Jalandhar, formally welcomed the Chief Guest and the Special Guest. This was followed by an address from Special Guest Bidhu Shekhar, who appreciated the discipline, sportsmanship, and dedication shown by the participating police athletes during the week-long competition.
In his address, Chief Guest M. F. Farooqui congratulated the winners and praised all the participating teams and players for their outstanding performance and competitive spirit. He emphasized the importance of sports in maintaining physical fitness, discipline, and teamwork among police personnel. He later distributed trophies and medals to the winning teams and individual athletes.
One of the highlights of the final day was an exceptional performance by Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Olympian and DSP, who broke the 23-year-old shot put record previously held by Bahadur Singh, a Padma Shri awardee and Commandant. Toor achieved a remarkable throw of 19.67 meters, creating a historic moment in the championship.
During the ceremony, the Chief Guest also honoured members of the organising committee for their dedication and hard work in successfully conducting the national event.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by **Vatsala Gupta, IPS, Commandant of the 27 Battalion PAP, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, Special Guest, police officers, athletes, and technical officials for their support and participation in making the championship a grand success.
The 74th All India Police Athletics Cluster 2025-26 once again highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship, discipline, and unity among police forces from across the country.