Jalandhar, February 12
AAP Rajya Sabha MP and former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has sanctioned a grant of Rs.13.48 lakh from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for the installation of a solar power plant at the iconic Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium in Jalandhar. The proposal for the solar power project was submitted by the District Badminton Association (DBA), Jalandhar along with a detailed cost estimate prepared by the Public Works Department. Known for his consistent support towards sports development in Punjab, MP Harbhajan Singh approved the project promptly. This is not the first instance of financial assistance extended by the MP to the association. In 2023, he had sanctioned a grant of Rs.16.50 lakh for the installation of modern gymnasium equipment at the same venue.
Speaking to the media, Honorary Secretary of the Punjab Badminton Association, Ritin Khanna, said that his interactions with Harbhajan Singh have always been encouraging. “I last met him in 2023, when he supported the upgradation of the stadium gymnasium. Even then, he assured us of his support and asked us to approach him whenever assistance was required,” Khanna said. He added that Harbhajan Singh has a special attachment to Raizada Hansraj Stadium, where he played badminton and trained during his early years. The MP has also assured the association that he will visit the stadium during his next visit to the city.
Khanna expressed gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and Amarjit Singh for playing an important role in facilitating the sanction of the grant. “With the installation of the solar power plant, our electricity expenditure will reduce substantially. The savings will be reinvested in player development and training, thereby further improving facilities and opportunities for aspiring shuttlers,” Khanna said.
Located in Civil Lines, Jalandhar, the Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium is managed by the District Badminton Association, a registered body headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar. Established in 1963 and named after the late Raizada Hansraj Sondhi, the stadium is among the oldest and most prestigious badminton facilities in North India. Since 2019, the Interim Committee of DBA Jalandhar has worked relentlessly towards the upliftment of the stadium. With an investment exceeding Rs.1 crore, the facility has undergone a complete transformation and has emerged as a hub for high-level badminton events.
