In what may be termed as one of the biggest achievements in the Badminton arena, Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori inaugurated five projects at the prestigious Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium, here today. Completed at the cost of Rs 30 Lakhs, the projects, which were inaugurated, included a Restaurant, Yoga & Aerobics Centre, Sports Shop, Physiotherapy Centre and a Selfie Point. It is for the first time in the history of District Badminton Association (DBA), Jalandhar that RaizadaHansraj Badminton Stadium has witnessed upgradation at such a large scale.In his address, DBA Jalandhar President Shri Ghanshyam Thori applauded the commendable work done by the Interim Committee of the DBA, Jalandhar. Shri Thori expressed happiness that RaizadaHansraj Badminton Stadium has been developed into a Badminton hub of high standards. “It is matter of pride that in a short span of just three years, RaizadaHansraj Badminton Stadium, under the aegis of the Interim Committee, has been consistently undertaking so many initiatives for the infrastructure upgradation, which is bound to provide an impetus to the performance and Badminton skills of the players, so that they can compete not only at the State level but at the national & International level”,Shri Thori said.
On this occasion, Shri Thori also distributed the fresh Membership Cards to the Life Member of the DBA, Jalandhar, through which the Life Members can also avail discounts for various facilities including that of Restaurant, Yoga & Aerobic Centre, Sports Shop and Physiotherapy Centre. Besides, the wards of Life Members will also get a discount in getting coaching at the Olympian Dipankar Academy. Speaking on this occasion, Member Secretary of DBA & Former National Player Mr. Ritin Khanna thanked all those dignitaries who have sanctioned grants for undertaking the projects besides the cooperation extended by the Deputy Commissioner. Highlighting the details of the projects, Mr. Khanna said that Restaurant has been built at a cost of Rs 20 Lakhs out of which Rs 10 Lakhs have been sanctioned by Jalandhar Central MLA Shri Rajinder Beri and Rs 4.81 Lakhs from the District Relief Society by Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, Shri Ghanshyam Thori.Elaborating further, Mr. Khanna said that with the coming up of the Restaurant, all the issues pertaining to the food will get resolved and players will get a big relief.About the Yoga and Aerobics Centre, Mr. Khanna said that Punjab Assembly Speaker Shri Rana K.P had sanctioned a grant of Rs 5 Lakhs for the Yoga & Aerobics Centre, which again would be extremely beneficial for the players as well as the general public coming to the Stadium.
“In wake of the fact that players undergo rigorous practice in the Stadium, injury is a very natural phenomenon but there was no availability of a Physiotherapist in the Stadium. Now, this newly set up Physiotherapy Centre would immensely help the players”, added Mr. Khanna.The fourth project of the Sports Shop inaugurated today will enable the players to purchase sports related equipment at competitive price including, shuttlecocks, shoes, rackets, clothing, racket stringing etc within Stadium itself , said Mr. Khanna, while adding that earlier the players had to visit Sports Market, which was far off from the Stadium. “Also, a Selfie Point has been set up at an earmarked place in the Stadium, which will be a centre of attraction for everyone besides giving aesthetic look to the Stadium'', Mr. Khanna said.Pointing out that the Interim Committee has been continuously and dedicated to ensure that players get all sorts of facilities within the Stadium, Mr. Khanna appreciated the cooperation extended by Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar and the Committee members. He also assured that the work to further upgrade the Stadium infrastructure will continue in the future as well.On this occasion, Interim Committee members including Mr. Anil Bhatti (IRS, Retd), S. Harpreet Singh, Mr.NareshBudhia, Mr.Kusum Kaypee and Mr. Mukul Verma were also present.