-APS Noorpuri
Chandigarh, September 17: More than 25,000 young players from villages across Punjab will take to the football fields and volleyball courts as the third edition of the Village Sports Festival 2026 being organised by Roundglass Foundation gets underway on September 19. This initiative is giving rural children an opportunity to compete, showcase their talent and experience the spirit of organised sport.
The festival will bring together more than 2,000 teams from over 1,400 villages across more than 70 venues. The competition will progress through cluster, block and zonal rounds before culminating in the grand finals in Mohali in November. The festival will feature football for U-14 and U-17 teams, and volleyball for U-14, U-17 and U-21 teams, bringing young athletes from across Punjab together on one statewide grassroots sporting platform.
The opening ceremony will be held on September 19 at 4 pm at Kalewal PDC Sports Ground, Majri, Kharar-Kurali bypass followed by an Under-14 football match.
Beyond competition, the festival aims to make sport more accessible to children in rural Punjab and create a platform where young players can develop confidence, discipline, teamwork and leadership. For many participants, it will also provide an opportunity to play in a structured competitive environment and be seen beyond their villages.
The festival is part of a wider effort to strengthen grassroots sport in rural Punjab. Through its Sports Centers programme, Roundglass Foundation has been working with communities to provide children regular access to football and volleyball, with local coaches and volunteers supporting training and participation.
“The Village Sports Festival is an important step toward expanding access to quality sports experiences for children in rural Punjab,” said Abhay Sharma, Senior Lead, Roundglass Foundation. “Through sport, we want children to build confidence, discipline and leadership while feeling supported to pursue their potential.”