VIPs’ visit helps trainees get revamped complex

Deepankar Sharda 

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 13

Trainees of the Sector 78 Sports Complex were surprised when they witnessed a makeover of the arena, after the recent visit of the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders. Security personnel had taken over the arena and closed it for trainees. It was opened on Tuesday. The top bureaucrats of the nation were here to attend a function, which ended on Monday. 

The preparation for this function helped the local trainees to get a revamped look of the arena. The authorities have repaired all dampened walls along with washrooms of the building and also updated the equipment, to present a good picture to the visitors. 

“This indirect benefit is good. Everyone knows that the arena was in shambles from past few months. Even the Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi spotted broken tiles and shortcomings during his maiden visit,” said an international level coach, deputed here. 

However, good things come at a cost. The complex was shut for the players by the security agencies in order to secure the area. "What can we do, we just received orders from our higher authorities. This must be the protocol. We have to practice, if not here then somewhere else. We took the trainees to some other centre,” said a coach. 

The centre is famous for the coaching of gymnastics, swimming and also it also offers facilitates of playing badminton, table tennis and football. “Change is always welcome, but the authorities should upkeep the arena on regular basis. Healthy environment is always needed for a better performance. The authorities could have given us the time to practice here, as the school nationals are approaching,” said Ustat Kaur, a trainee of the complex.