Ludhiana, Dec. 1 -- The weightlifting centre near Rakh Bagh, Ludhiana, once a bustling hub producing national and international champions, now stands as a faded shadow of its former glory. Built in 1987, the facility is grappling with severe neglect, leaving athletes to train amid leaking ceilings, worn-out flooring, and cramped spaces.

Major repair work was last undertaken a decade ago, said Parvesh Chander Sharma, general secretary of the District Weightlifting Association and a Commonwealth Games medallist. "We charge only Rs.500 for six months. If we have some money left, we try to update the equipment. But we simply don't have funds for proper renovation," he added.

The District Weightlifting Association manages the centre.

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