Game on, pain off: Ludhiana among 11 districts slated for sports injury hubs

Ludhiana: As an initiative by the Punjab government to improve facilities for athletes, district sports injury centres are set to be established in eleven districts across the state. These include Ropar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Faridkot, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Mohali, Amritsar, and Bathinda. The Ludhiana centre is located at the Guru Nanak Stadium, a prominent hub for sports activities, and aims to provide specialised and rapid medical support to athletes. This facility will be managed by a team of seven officials, comprising a sports medicine specialist, two physiotherapists, two assistants, one nursing staff member, and one physical trainer.The officials will provide various services, including OPD facilities, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, performance enhancement guidance, and necessary medical advice Monday to Saturday (except official holidays). Additionally, the centre will offer on-field emergency response protocols, a nutritionist for healthy diet guidance, and counseling for anti-doping. According to sports department officials, OPD services at the Ludhiana centre are expected to commence by Monday as the required infrastructure and official procedures are currently underway. However, the remaining facilities, such as physiotherapy and rehabilitation, are expected to be operational by the end of April as more officials join the staff.Kuldeep Chugh, district sports officer (DSO), stated, "The government is trying to provide the best possible facilities for athletes across the state, including Ludhiana, and these sports injury centres are a key part of that effort. As of now, OPD services will begin this week, but other facilities—including physiotherapy, on-field first aid, and nutritional guidance—will be provided as soon as possible." Chugh added that these centres will serve as a primary resource for athletes to receive proper guidance and treatment before, during, and after their matches. The initiative marks a significant step toward professionalising athlete care and ensuring long-term physical well-being for the state's sporting talent.