Department of Sports, Punjab, India

To groom the distinguished players who have already excelled at National/State level, with an eye of winning medals in International competitions, the Sports Department in the year 1999-2000 started Speed Fund Academy for outstanding players (only boys) in the age group of 13-21 years, at Ludhiana. In this academy players are given a diet of Rs. 100/- per day per head, free education, medical, transport, accommodation and sports equipment. The players are also provided a sports kit worth Rs. 10,000/- per annum. There is a provision of participation of the players in Domestic as well as International competitions on actual basis. Already a number of boys of this academy have represented India in the International competitions and have created new National records. Jugraj Singh, who proved to be a class drag flicker penalty corner specialist who got injured in September 2003, is the by-product of this academy. He represented country in Champions Trophy Edition 2002, Cologne (Germany), Busan Asian games 2002, Senior World Cup (MAS) and Champions Trophy 2003 at Holland, he scored a number of goals in each tournament. Yadvinder Singh another student of this academy represented the country in Asian cup 2001 held in Malaysia and won gold medal.

Another judoka of this academy Navjot Challa won gold medal in Junior Asia Cup held at Demascus (Syria) in the 50 Kg. Amrit Pal Singh, an athlete of the academy created sensation by shattering the 30 year long jump record of T C Yuhana.He jumped 8.08 mtr. He also participated in Junior World Athletic Championship and Junior Asia Cup in 2002. He won Bronze medal at SAF Games in 2004. Another athlete of this Academy, Amritpal Singh Jr. and a Disc Thrower is showing consistence performance since he joined the Academy. He represented the country at the Junior Athletic Championship in the year 2002. In this very year he created a new record of Under-19 record and a new national Under-18 record. Further improving, he shattered the old record and created a new All India Inter University record in the year 2003-04. Mr. Pargat Singh, another upcoming athlete is a Hammer Thrower. He won Gold Medal in All India university during 2003-04. He also created a new Pb. University Inter-College record with a throw of 60.92 meters.