Ludhiana: Nearly four months after its launch, the District Sports Medicine Centre at Guru Nanak Stadium continues to operate without crucial medical equipment and basic medicines, despite witnessing a steady daily turnout of injured athletes.Introduced by the Punjab govt in April 2026 across 11 districts—including Ropar, Patiala, Fazilka, Bathinda, Amritsar, and Ludhiana—the facility was set up to provide specialised healthcare, rehabilitation, performance guidance, and injury cure for players.The Ludhiana centre is staffed by a seven-member team comprising a sports medicine specialist, two physiotherapists, two assistants, a nursing staff member, and a physical trainer. Despite the expert personnel, a spot check revealed that the centre lacks vital equipment such as dynamometers, body composition analysers, resistance bands, TheraBands, electric massagers, foam rollers, massage balls, and specialised physiotherapy tools.Despite these shortages, officials confirmed that more than 20 athletes visit the OPD daily from disciplines such as volleyball, athletics, and judo. Staff members clarified that procurement falls directly under the jurisdiction of the higher authorities in the Punjab sports department, rather than the local district sports department.On-duty officials at the centre said, “On daily basis, more than 20 athletes are visiting the facility from different sports disciplines including volleyball, athletics, judo and others as well. There is a requirement of some necessary medical care equipments and medicines that are currently unavailable at the centre maybe due to administrative reasons.”They added, “The team has requested the higher authorities of the sports department of Punjab govt for the same and it would be good for everyone involved if the equipments are made available as soon as possible. The medicines are expected to be here in a day or so.”Praising the medical team while urging swift govt action, an athlete visiting the facility said, “This is a great initiative by the govt, also it was required for the athletes. The medical officials here are very concerned and supportive. I request the authorities concerned to send the required facilities as soon as possible.”
