Sportspersons have no place to stay in Ludhiana

LUDHIANA: The city is a regular venue for state-level sporting events and national coaching camps. However, lack of accommodation is proving to be a costly and a bothersome problem for the sports department, as well as other sports associations.
Ludhiana’s sports department has no hostel under its control, or any other kind of accommodation for players or officials.The only hostel behind the Multipurpose Indoor Hall, Guru Nanak Dev Stadium was allotted to the Sports Authority of India four years ago.
Due to this reason, players attending the ongoing camp in Ludhiana for the Kabaddi Asia Cup to be held in Lahore next month have been given accommodations at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). This will cost the sports department around Rs 1 lakh since each room in Parker house, PAU, costs Rs 400 per night. Two coaches and 24 players are attending the 23-day camp.
With high-level events in the offing — Kabaddi World Cup and the Senior Nationals Basketball (Men and Women) in December — the sports department has been facing criticism.
General secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association Teja Singh Dhaliwal said, “Games are drawing closer and we have to accommodate all players and coaches in hotels. Accommodation has always been a major problem in Ludhiana, which otherwise provides great sports infrastructure.”
District sports officer Kartar Singh said he is working on a proposal to build rooms for the sportspersons and officials at the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium. “The proposal is to construct rooms under Block-D, which is opposite the main Block. We are figuring out estimates for the project. Probably, 10 rooms can be made there. I will be meeting with the SDO in a few days and would then send the proposal to the head office,” Kartar said.