Work on handball courts at Government Sports College, Jalandhar, to be over next month

The work on the much-awaited two handball courts at Government Sports College, Jalandhar, is still going on despite the construction beginning about five months ago and initial assurances that the project would be completed at the earliest. The college authorities maintain that only minor work is pending. According to the authorities, the deadline to complete the work was November 30 which has got extended to the end of December.

For the first time in decades, dedicated handball courts are being set up in the college. The initiative has been driven by college principal Dr Ranbir Singh, whose efforts have ensured the sport receives institutional support.

According to officials, major civil work, including the asphalt base, has been completed. However, key components such as the synthetic acrylic surface and electrical installations, including floodlights, are still pending. Until the courts are ready, handball players of the college continue practising on alternative grounds.

The project is being executed by the PWD. The department has given the contract to a private company. The project is being carried out with the sanctioned budget of Rs 84 lakh under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The upcoming facility will include proper lighting, and other modern amenities.

Once construction is completed, the college administration plans to request the posting of a dedicated handball coach to launch the new wing. Dr Ranbir Singh expressed confidence that the remaining work would be finished next month, allowing the courts to be inaugurated and opened to students soon. "We are sure that the work will complete in another 10-15 days and both the handball court will be ready," he said.

Established in 1961 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon, the institution, initially Asia’s first sports college, has a rich legacy. Now known as Government Arts and Sports College, it has produced sporting icons, including hockey greats Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh (Flying Eagle), as well as champion athletes Ishar Singh Deol and Jagdeep Singh. Under Dr Ranbir Singh’s leadership, the college continues its tradition of nurturing sporting excellence.