In a major step towards strengthening sports infrastructure in the district, DC Himanshu Jain today inaugurated a state-of-the-art gymnasium for athletes at Rakh Bagh, located behind Judo Centre. Developed at an estimated cost of Rs 80 lakh, the facility has been specially designed to provide modern fitness and recovery support to sportspersons.The newly inaugurated gym is equipped with high-quality fitness machines and advanced training equipment aimed at improving the strength, endurance, and overall performance of players. A key feature of the facility is a sauna bath for better recovery and rehabilitation of athletes after intensive training sessions. The facility will be free for students participating in sports and associated with Sports Department. Outsiders will be charged Rs 1,500 per month, and this amount will be used for the gym’s maintenance.Addressing the gathering, the DC said the district administration is continuously working to promote sports and develop world-class infrastructure for players in Ludhiana. He emphasised that this is the only gym of its kind under Sports Department in Punjab and that no similar facility with such advanced equipment and recovery support currently exists elsewhere in the state.He added that providing quality infrastructure to the youth will motivate them to take up sports and help them compete at higher levels. The DC reiterated the administration’s commitment to making Ludhiana a leading centre for sports excellence.Also present on the occasion were District Sports Officer Kuldeep Chugh, Amber Bandhopadhyay (CGO), and Aditya Kumar Yadav (Governance Associate), who conceptualised and executed the project. Various coaches, trainers, and sportspersons from different disciplines attended the inauguration ceremony.