In a significant move to promote sports, the Ludhiana district administration has established 24 sports nurseries across the city, offering facilities for volleyball, athletics, boxing, hockey, cycling, archery, gymnastics, basketball, and other games. Coaches have also been appointed to nurture talent in both urban and rural areas. However, a cash crunch may make it very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve these objectives.
Financial Constraints Plague Sports Nurseries
All 24 sports nurseries have collectively received only Rs 2.5 lakh. On an average, each nursery has received Rs 10,000 per month. Sports enthusiasts in the city pointed out that this amount is insufficient to even meet basic monthly expenses of any sports facility.
Location and Facilities
The sports nurseries are located across Ludhiana, including open grounds in nearby villages, and government college and school grounds. They aim to provide initial sports training and facilities to young athletes. For instance, the volleyball nursery is at the Government College for Girls, Sector 39; the football nursery is in Sarabha village; the gymnastics nursery is at Shaheed e Azam Sukhdev Thapar Government School; the athletics nursery is at Government Senior Secondary School, Sahnewal; the archery nursery is at Daba Stadium, Daba Road; and the wrestling nursery is at Jagat Colony, Khanna.
Lack of Equipment and Officials' Response
A visit to the sports nurseries revealed that sports equipment was not available for athletes of various disciplines. Officials attributed this to lack of finances. Ajitpal, supervisor of the sports nurseries, said, "We received a grant of Rs 2.5 lakh for sports nurseries in mid November, 2025. The nurseries are still in the nascent stage. We will get the government to meet their requirements as soon as possible." He added that officials, in-charges, and coaches are currently working on trials and selections for athletes who wish to join.
District Sports Officer (DSO) Kuldeep Chugh said concerns about the required sports equipment have been raised with higher authorities. "As of now, the department has bought some of the equipment for the initial phase and beginning of these nurseries. Whatever remains, including grants and sports equipment, will be provided as soon as possible," Chugh said.
