Ludhiana District Administration Gets Infrastructural Boost to Accelerate Sports Development

Just less than 100 kilometers away from India’s oldest Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre, SAI Patiala, Ludhiana lags in sports infrastructure, considering its size, population, and wealth. Known as the Manchester of India, Ludhiana contributes nearly 20% to Punjab’s GDP with its massive textile industry and other contributions, including steel and bicycles. But with around 20 lakh residents, the city has only a handful of major upgraded venues like Guru Nanak Stadium and Shastri Badminton Hall, far short of meeting demand for a sports-loving Punjab hub. To narrow this divide, the administration is taking major infrastructure developments in the city.

Reportedly, as part of this initiative, the district administration is implementing multiple high-impact projects, including

Development of a state-of-the-art indoor volleyball hall at SCD Government College, designed to meet modern playing standards and enable year-round training and competitions.

Development of a synthetic lawn tennis ground at SCD Government College, providing all-weather playing conditions and supporting the growth of tennis at the district and state levels.

Renovation and upgradation of Shastri Badminton Hall, including improvement of courts and supporting infrastructure to enhance player performance and safety.

Renovation of the Basketball Hostel, aimed at improving residential facilities for sportspersons and ensuring a conducive environment for training and recovery.

Renovation and infrastructure improvement of Guru Nanak Stadium, one of the district's key sporting venues, to better support athletics and multi-sport activities.

Recent additions

Smart City Mission allocated Rs 29 crore by March 2025 (₹24.29 crore spent), funding one each of a hockey stadium (₹89 lakh), a badminton court (₹2.08 crore), an athletics track (₹7.82 crore), basketball court (₹1.44 crore), and table tennis court (₹36 lakh).​ November 2025 foundations include Punjab's first indoor volleyball hall (₹3.6 crore) and the district's first synthetic tennis courts (₹77 lakh), both at the SCD Government College, plus state-wide plans for 3,100 rural stadiums by June 2026 (₹1,350 crore total).

Future of sports infrastructure in Punjab

The sports infrastructure market in India is currently valued at INR 23,000 crore (USD 2.7 billion) and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12-15 percent. Annual government allocations for sports infrastructure have doubled in the past decade, with the central budget (2024-25) earmarking INR 3,500 crore. The Punjab government has itself allocated ₹979 crore for the promotion of sports development in the fiscal year 2025-2026.

According to the Government of India data, Punjab has a total of 13 sports facilities, including 5 multipurpose stadiums, 3 athletic tracks, and 2 hockey fields that were developed under initiatives like Khelo India. But the state still lacks a national-level standard football field and a swimming pool.