NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) on Friday passed the National Sports University Bill, 2018, clearing the way for the formation of the country’s first ever National Sports University in Manipur.
The Bill was passed by a voice vote.
The move found the backing of many Members of Parliament (MPs) with some even voicing the need for sports education to be made compulsory in schools and colleges as well, PTI reports.
The Bill replaces an ordinance proposed on May 31 by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. He told the House that the cost of setting up the university would be Rs 5.24 billion, which would aim at promoting sports coaching and research, amongst other initiatives.
Rathore also confirmed that Indian sportpersons will be appointed as the vice chancellor and academic council members respectively.
The proposed university would also function as the national training centre for select sports disciplines by adopting best international practices.
“Apart from academic programmes and research, the university and its outlying campuses’ will also impart training to elite athletes, sports officials, referees, and umpires and evolve as centres of excellence in the various discipline of sports,” said the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill.
As per the provisions of the Bill, the Central government will have the full authority and control over the institution which, therefore, will not be autonomous.
BJP MP and former BCCI President Anurag Thukar lauded the move while suggesting that a special fund for MPs must be created to organise events to promote young sporting talent.
Thakur believes that former defence personnel, who had excelled in sports must be sought after to train sportpersons.
Thokchom Meinya, a Congress MP from Manipur welcomed the establishment of the National Sports University in his state and said the new varsity was expected to breach the void in the area.
