Reopened sports hall becomes equipment dump, affects practice

Ludhiana: The multi-purpose sports hall, which was recently reopened after renovation, has been temporarily turned into a storage space for sports equipment, impacting sports trials and daily training activities for athletes, particularly those involved in judo and gymnastics.The issue surfaced during recent trials organised by the Punjab sports department for admission to sports wing schools for the 2026-27 academic session under the day-scholar category. The trials witnessed participation from around 1,100 boys and girls across different age groups and sports disciplines.Experts and coaches conducted the trials at several key sports venues across the city, including the multi-purpose sports hall. However, athletes and participants flagged that a large portion of the hall's floor space was occupied by sports equipment stored by the department. The equipment, reportedly meant for future projects such as gym facilities, significantly limited the usable area during trials.The sports hall had been closed for renovation since last year and was reopened in March. Athletes said that just days after reopening, the hall began being used as a storage facility, restricting regular practice sessions. The multi-purpose hall has a strong sporting legacy, having produced national and international players, including Asian Games gold medallist triple jumper Arpinder Singh.Athletes said that the presence of heavy equipment on the same practice floor not only disrupted training schedules but also increased the risk of injuries. They urged the authorities to clear the hall so that it can be used for training and competitions as intended.Apart from the storage issue, athletes also pointed out structural concerns. They said the shed of the hall leaks during rainy weather, resulting in rainwater falling directly onto the newly renovated floors used for gymnastics and judo practice. This, they said, poses safety risks and could damage the flooring.Additionally, athletes appealed for improvement in the pavilion seating at the multi-purpose hall. They claimed the existing seats are covered with dust and waste material, affecting the overall appearance and image of the sports facility.District sports officer (DSO) Kuldeep Chugh said the equipment stored in the hall is meant to be distributed to various projects aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure across the district. "We have not yet received instructions or a list from higher authorities regarding where the equipment has to be sent. Considering the safety of the equipment, it has been kept here for now. It will be shifted to the designated locations once directions are received," he said.The DSO added that the trials were conducted using the best possible available facilities and have now concluded. "Out of around 1,100 participants, nearly 625 boys and girls will be selected for the sports wing schools," Chugh said.Athletes, meanwhile, hope the hall will soon be vacated so that it can function fully as a training venue without compromising safety or access.Athletes' demands— Vacate the multi-purpose sports hall and remove stored sports equipment to allow uninterrupted trials and daily practice— Ensure the hall is used strictly for training and competitions, especially for judo and gymnastics— Address safety concerns arising from heavy equipment placed on the practice floor to prevent injuries— Fix roof/shed leakage issues, as rainwater reportedly falls on newly renovated floors during rainy days— Improve and clean pavilion seating, which athletes said, is currently covered with dust and waste material— Ensure better maintenance and upkeep of the facility to preserve its sporting legacy and usability