Nurture talent, build infra to restore Amritsar’s sporting legacy

Amritsar needs a sporting roadmap

The limited medal contribution from Amritsar at the ongoing Commonwealth Games should certainly make us pause and reflect, but it should not be seen simply as a decline in sporting talent. Lovepreet Singh's silver medal in weightlifting is a matter of great pride for the city. However, Amritsar has historically produced outstanding athletes, particularly in athletics and track-and-field events. The real concern is the lack of a strong sporting ecosystem comprising modern grounds, athletics tracks, qualified coaches, regular competitions, and systematic identification of talent at the school level. Amritsar needs a long-term roadmap for sports, involving schools, colleges, sports associations, government agencies and private institutions. Existing playgrounds should be upgraded, while dedicated athletics academies should be established to provide young athletes with professional training and facilities. Punjab has immense sporting potential. With proper infrastructure and professional coaching, Amritsar can once again become a major nursery for national and international athletes. The talent exists; what is needed is the right platform, sustained investment and a clear long-term vision.

Krishan Kumar Sharma

Parents, kids focus more on studies

Yes, certainly, there has been a sharp decline in interest in iron ball games. This is because of manifold factors. First of all, our education system is primarily responsible for it. Right from primary classes to senior-most classes, students, teachers and even parents are obsessed with only one aim: to stress students to devote maximum time to their studies and secure good results. Due to this excessive stress, students have lost interest in sports. Secondly, youngsters prefer playing online games, which has moved them away from real sports. The lack of awareness regarding iron ball games has resulted in a decline in our ability to bring laurels in the Commonwealth Games.

Sanjay Chawla

City must revive its sporting culture

Lovepreet Singh from Amritsar was the only track-and-field medallist from Punjab in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games. When one person carries the flag for the entire state in athletics, it is less a matter of joy and more of a warning sign. Punjab once used to be a nursery of athletics in India. Milkha Singh, Bahadur Singh and Gurcharan Singh Randhawa — all from this part of India — brought glory to the state. However, Punjab is now trailing in track-and-field events. The decline in athletics stems from infrastructural gaps. There is no dearth of talent, but Amritsar does not have a single synthetic track to nurture budding athletes. A similar problem exists with coaches. There are no recognised and properly trained coaches on the rolls to identify and train talent at the entry level. The absence of role models in athletics also plays a part in the declining interest in track-and-field events. Despite the financial costs involved, cricket, hockey, kabaddi and tennis attract maximum sponsorship. The popular saying, "Money makes the mare go," aptly fits these sports, which enjoy wide acceptance among students and parents. In contrast, athletics, often considered a poor man's sport, finds hardly any sponsors. There is an urgent need to plug these infrastructural gaps. More synthetic tracks should be set up across the state. Establishing sports colleges and deploying properly trained, national-level coaches may help reverse the declining trend in athletics in Punjab. A self-trained athlete competing on a mud track cannot compete with athletes who train in world-class facilities. The government should approach corporate houses to adopt, promote and support the fading track-and-field sports in Punjab.

Anil Vinayak

Amritsar's fading athletics legacy

Punjab, and Amritsar in particular, once occupied a place of pride on India's sporting map. The region produced countless outstanding athletes who brought laurels to the nation, especially in track-and-field events. Sadly, that glorious tradition has steadily faded, and today Punjab no longer enjoys the prominence it once did. One of the major reasons for this decline is the diminishing interest in athletics and other field sports. Unlike cricket, these disciplines offer little financial security or public recognition. Young sportspersons are naturally drawn towards careers that promise fame, sponsorships and lucrative rewards, making athletics a less attractive option. The foundation of sporting excellence is laid in schools. Unfortunately, most schools in Amritsar lack adequate playgrounds, trained coaches, and modern sports facilities. Without regular training and proper infrastructure at the grassroots level, it is unrealistic to expect the emergence of future champions. The condition of the city's sports infrastructure is equally disappointing. Many playgrounds and stadiums are poorly maintained due to inadequate funding and administrative neglect. Government apathy towards sports development is evident in the deteriorating condition of these facilities. It is impossible for sporting talent to flourish in such an unfavourable environment. Cricket continues to dominate the sporting landscape in India. With its enormous financial rewards, media attention, and celebrity status, it attracts the best young talent. Other sports, particularly track-and-field events, receive little recognition and meagre financial support. Athletes in these disciplines often pursue their dreams through sheer determination and personal sacrifice, with little institutional backing. If Punjab and Amritsar are to regain their lost sporting glory, there must be a renewed commitment from the government, educational institutions, corporate organisations, and society at large. Investment in modern infrastructure, qualified coaches, regular competitions, scholarships, and attractive incentives for athletes is essential. India needs a sporting renaissance that embraces every discipline, not just cricket. Only by nurturing talent across all sports can we hope to produce world-class athletes and significantly improve our performance at international competitions, including the Olympic Games. A nation of over a billion people deserves to be among the world's leading sporting powers.

Akashdeep Singh

Govt not providing facilities, infra

Yes, interest is drastically declining due to the absence of the required enthusiasm for track-and-field events among the city's youth. No one is creating school leagues. Events and competitions, including regional championships, have disappeared. Governments are not providing adequate facilities and infrastructure to promote these sports. Finding a coach is a challenge now, while coaches themselves are in search of opportunities. The media and marketing sectors are also inactive in this area. Lovepreet Singh clinched the silver medal based on his own power and strength alone.

MK Sharma

Lack of incentives, job opportunities

The holy city of Amritsar and its surrounding rural areas in Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran have a rich history of producing great sportspersons. To name a few, Gurbachan Singh Randhawa in athletics; Dr Suman Sharma in basketball; Bishan Singh Bedi, Madan Lal, and now Abhishek Sharma in cricket; Brigadier Harcharan Singh, Balwinder Shammi, Dharam Singh, Bakhshish Singh, Mukhbain, Surjit, and now Harmanpreet, Gurjant, Shamsher, Dilpreet, German, Jugraj, and Araijeet in hockey; and Ahuja and Khanna in badminton. Now, the question is: why only one silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games? Many factors have contributed to the decline in sports, particularly in track and field and iron-ball sports. The foremost reason is the lack of infrastructure. The only so-called Guru Nanak Stadium is worth its name only. It is used more for government functions and less for sporting purposes. Its maintenance is neglected. There has been no water in the only swimming pool in the city for years. The facilities at GNDU are primarily available to its own students and are not open to the public. The lack of infrastructure, the absence of any worthwhile scheme or system for identifying and nurturing sporting talent, a lack of incentives, and a lack of job opportunities have driven the youth away from sports towards mobile phones and drugs. These factors have further contributed to the decline in medals in the city and its surrounding areas.

Brig Harcharan Singh (retired)

Institutes should revive athletics programmes

The decline in interest in track and field is visible, but it is not because Amritsar lacks sporting talent. The city has produced good athletes, yet facilities, coaching and career opportunities remain inadequate. During the Commonwealth Games, enthusiasm briefly returned as athletes became visible role models. Schools and colleges should revive their athletics programmes and provide regular competitions. Existing grounds must be maintained and made accessible to young players. Professional coaches, sports scholarships and incentives for medal winners can encourage greater participation. The administration should identify promising athletes at an early stage and support them with proper nutrition, equipment and training. A sustained programme can help rebuild Amritsar's athletics culture.

Vijay Bhatti

Create a proper sporting ecosystem

Amritsar's earlier reputation as a nursery of athletes has weakened because children now have fewer opportunities to train seriously in track and field. Cricket and other popular sports attract greater attention, sponsorship and media coverage, while athletics offers uncertain career prospects. The solution is to create a proper sporting ecosystem. Schools should have dedicated athletics periods, inter-school meets and talent-identification camps. The city also needs modern tracks, qualified coaches and sports science facilities. Athletes who perform well at the district and state levels should receive scholarships and employment opportunities. If sport is linked with education and employment, more youngsters will choose athletics as a serious career option.

Jagdish Singh

Former players should mentor young talent

The Commonwealth Games showed that major sporting events can generate public interest, but the challenge is to sustain that interest after the spotlight moves away. The holy city needs a long-term plan to revive athletics. The administration should upgrade existing grounds, establish a standard synthetic track and ensure regular maintenance. Schools and colleges can jointly organise monthly competitions to give athletes greater exposure. Former players and coaches should mentor young talent, while corporate houses could be encouraged to support promising athletes and their training. Most importantly, athletics should not be treated merely as recreation. With proper coaching, facilities, competitions and incentives, Amritsar can once again produce athletes capable of competing at the national level.

Arwinder Singh

Youngsters drawn towards cricket

The fall in interest in track and field reflects a wider change in sporting priorities. Youngsters are increasingly drawn towards cricket because of its visibility, glamour and financial opportunities. Athletics, despite being the foundation of competitive sport, receives comparatively little attention. Amritsar can reverse this trend by making athletics more accessible and rewarding. Schools should identify talented children through regular physical tests and competitions. The city should have well-maintained tracks, qualified coaches and affordable training facilities. Scholarships and employment incentives for successful athletes would provide greater confidence to families. Regular media coverage of local athletes can also inspire youngsters. Grassroots training, better infrastructure and recognition can help restore Amritsar's athletics tradition.

Aman Sharma