Jalandhar: Court ready, women’s basketball tournament starts today

Jalandhar: The Government Arts and Sports College, Jalandhar, is set to host the North Zone Inter-University Basketball Championship (Women) from January 16th to 21st. Universities from across North India will participate in this prestigious tournament, and elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a smooth conduct. According to the organizers, approximately 60 teams from the North Zone have confirmed their participation. However, due to the extreme cold weather, the final number of participating teams is expected to be around 40. To address weather-related challenges such as fog or low temperatures, the college has arranged for matches to be held on both outdoor and indoor courts. College Principal Ranbir Singh said, “We have a well-prepared indoor court, and in case of fog or extreme cold, matches will be shifted indoors. The matches will also continue into the night as adequate lighting is available. All preparations are complete.”
The championship will be inaugurated tomorrow morning, after which the matches will begin. Coaches were asked to inform them in advance about any additional requirements related to court facilities. One coach stated that most arrangements have already been made, and the college successfully hosted the championship in 2023. The coach said, “All the necessary information was shared with the authorities so that proper preparations could be made, and now everything is in place.” Singh said that both indoor and outdoor courts are being thoroughly inspected. He added, “Ground preparation, court markings, seating arrangements, and all other logistical aspects have been carefully reviewed. Accommodation arrangements for the players have also been made.” Universities from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh are eligible to participate in the championship. Accommodation for the players will be arranged on the college campus. Government Arts and Sports College operates under the aegis of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University. Established in 1961 under the leadership of the then Chief Minister Pratap Singh Kairon, this institution was the first sports college in Asia and has been playing a vital role in promoting excellence in sports in the region.