NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) Thursday passed the National Sports University Bill, 2018, paving the way for the formation of the country’s first ever National Sports University in Manipur.
The Bill, which was passed by a voice vote in the Upper House, was adopted by the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) on August 3.
The Bill replaces an ordinance proposed on May 31 by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. He had earlier 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.
In order to make the university a world-class institution, the government has signed an agreement with two Australian universities – University of Canberra and Victoria University – for development of curriculum, research facilities and laboratories, among others.
