Ludhiana Poised to Emerge as Punjab’s Sports Hub-Indoor Volleyball Stadium in the Pipeline :
Ludhiana | Prime Vista News
In an effort to promote sports culture and positively channelise the energy of young people, Ludhiana district is witnessing a renewed focus on the development of sports infrastructure. A major step in this direction is the proposed construction of an indoor volleyball stadium at SCD Government College, with an estimated cost of ₹3.5 crore.
Sports experts believe that the facility, once completed, will be among the first dedicated indoor volleyball stadiums in North India. Despite volleyball being recognised internationally as an indoor sport, it has largely been played in open grounds across Punjab and neighbouring states due to the lack of specialised infrastructure.
Long-Standing Volleyball Tradition at SCD Government College
SCD Government College has a deep-rooted association with volleyball, with the sport being played on its campus since the 1970s. Over the years, the institution has emerged as a training ground for talented players, even in the absence of modern facilities.
Speaking to Prime Vista News, a national-level volleyball player named Gurjot Singh associated with the college, highlighted the institution’s contribution to the sport. “Volleyball has been played at SCD Government College for decades. Despite limited infrastructure, the college has trained nearly 100 national-level players over the past 10 years,” Singh said.
He further shared that during the recently held national volleyball championship, nine players from the college delivered strong performances, earning recognition at the national level.
Recognition and Opportunities for Players
According to Singh, the achievements of these players have opened new opportunities beyond competitive sport. He said that Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu has offered to absorb all nine players into the Indian Railways, which could provide them with employment security alongside continued participation in sports.
Singh emphasised that such initiatives are particularly meaningful for athletes from non-urban backgrounds. “Nearly 90 per cent of the players trained here come from rural areas. For many of them, access to proper facilities and institutional support can make a significant difference,” he noted.
In related developments, an elderly man’s coconut leaf art has triggered an Ai-versus-art debate online.
Modern Amenities Planned at the Stadium
The proposed indoor volleyball stadium is expected to feature modern training amenities aimed at improving performance and safety. As per officials and sports representatives, the facility will include a wooden playing surface, a soundproof indoor hall, proper lighting, a gymnasium, and a conference room.
Players and members of the Ludhiana Volleyball Association have expressed appreciation towards Minister Sanjeev Arora and Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain for facilitating the project and ensuring the release of funds. Singh stated that the upcoming stadium would be a “major morale boost” for aspiring athletes.
Broader Plan to Develop Ludhiana as a Sports Hub
The indoor volleyball stadium is part of a wider plan to develop Ludhiana as a sports hub of Punjab. Officials confirmed that tenders for upgrading sports infrastructure were floated in January, with authorities committing to time-bound completion of the projects.
Sources indicated that approximately ₹10 crore is being spent in the initial phase to strengthen sports infrastructure across the district. The agenda includes several key projects such as the Volleyball Indoor Hall Project, revamping of Shastri Badminton Hall, development of a throwing events ground at SCD Government College, expansion of the Weightlifting Centre at GNN Stadium, construction of a gymnasium at the Rakh Bagh Judo Centre, a synthetic lawn tennis court, and the Roundglass project.
Of the total outlay, around ₹4 crore has been allocated for lighting facilities, while ₹3.5 crore is earmarked specifically for the indoor volleyball stadium. The remaining funds will be used to improve other sports facilities in the first phase.
Administration Emphasises Youth Engagement
Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said that Ludhiana, being one of Punjab’s largest districts and a major industrial hub, requires upgraded sports infrastructure to encourage youth participation in sports.
“To channelise the youth towards sports, we are focusing on strengthening facilities and introducing modern amenities. Our objective is to provide maximum opportunities to sports enthusiasts, and we aim to complete many of these projects within the next six months,” Jain said.
