Football, handball grounds set for renovation at Govt Sports College

For years, despite having a football ground, the Government Sports College lacked a dedicated football wing. However, this is set to change with plans for the renovation of the existing ground and the establishment of a football wing, expected to begin next year. The ground, which was previously considered ‘not up to the mark’, would be upgraded using grants received from the Central Government under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) programme for 2013-2014. Over Rs 11 lakh would be spent on the project, which includes proper levelling of the ground and the installation of sprinklers, among other improvements.

In addition to the football ground, plans are in place to upgrade the college’s handball court, which has long been in need of attention. Once home to a handball wing, the college intends to build a modern acrylic-based handball court.

The college principal, Ranbir Singh, is committed to revitalising the institution. A sports enthusiast himself, he expressed his dedication to restoring the college’s former prestige. “This is a respected institution and I am doing my best to revive its former glory,” he said. “When you enter the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala, you admire its beauty and I want the same for this college. I am working towards achieving that.”

The college, founded in 1961 by then-Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon, was the first sports college in Asia and played a pivotal role in establishing Punjab as a powerhouse in sports. Late Olympian Som Nath was the founding principal and many notable figures have led the college to success over the years. Its alumni include legendary hockey players such as Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh (Flying Eagle) and champion athletes such as Ishar Singh Deol and Jagdeep Singh.