"Many Punjabi youths are falling prey to drugs. This is one of the major reasons why Punjabis are not performing at par with their Haryana counterparts in international tournaments, " Dharmendra told reporters here Tuesday.
"I appeal to Punjab youths to stay away from drugs and divert their minds by indulging in tough games that require a lot of energy. I have come to Punjab to inaugurate an international-level wrestling tournament and I am very happy to become part of this initiative, " he added.
Dharmendra, who was known as 'Garam-Dharam' in Bollywood, will inaugurate a Feb 10-12 wrestling event Shaheed Bahagat Singh International Wrestling Tournament, at Jalandhar.
According to the organisers, as many as 300 wrestlers from 20 countries are participating in the cash-rich tournament in which Rs.30 lakh would be distributed among the top three players.
Dharmendra had spent his early life in Punjab's Sahnewal village which has now become a town near Punjab's industrial city Ludhiana. His father was a school headmaster.
Dharmendra also had some advice for the Indian cricket team for the forthcoming World Cup.
"I wish them best of luck. I want India to repeat the 1983 feat of Kapil Dev-led team. They should play with full aggression and then sky would be the limit for them, " he said.