Sporting talent gets fame in country, abroad but languishes at ground level

In another achievement from the city, 21-year-old star cricketer Harnoor Singh will be a part of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.

Also, this time, the 14th Hockey India Junior Men’s National Championship was held at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium in which 30 teams participated.

Poor participation of players at grassroots level

Talking about the games at grassroots level, poor participation by the budding players in the recently held Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan brought to notice the fact that not many students were now interested in sports.

It seemed like sports had taken a backseat in Jalandhar from where many legendary players rose to eminence because of their contribution to the discipline they represented, bringing fame to the district.

Poor turnout of players was also witnessed during the college wing trials held in the middle of the year. The grounds were almost empty and coaches were seen waiting for more players to come.

Poor condition of sports school hostel

An unbearable stench, overgrown vegetation and a wandering street dog greet you at the hostel of the Government Senior Secondary State School of Sports —Punjab’s oldest and most prestigious sports institute that’s home to players from across the state. The Tribune had earlier highlighted this.

The school was envisioned as a nursery for future sports stars. The foundation stone was laid in 1961 by Punjab’s first Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon. The hostel too was built the same year.

Players from Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Patiala, Sangrur, Kapurthala, Bathinda and several other districts reside here. The players attend classes in the afternoon and train under Sports Department’s coaches in the evening. Several students, speaking on the condition of anonymity, had then said that they had no option but to endure the “unliveable conditions”. However, an estimate to reform the hostel has been made and the work will start soon.

A table tennis court at Hansraj stadium is in dire need of a makeover. When the Congress was in power, the then Finance Minister had promised Rs 50 lakh for its renovation. But nothing much has been done yet.

Similarly, wrestling wing in the sports institute also needs attention.