New Delhi: The national capital is set to have India’s first sports university, which will offer graduation, post-graduation and doctorate degrees in several sports including cricket, football and hockey.
On Monday, the Delhi assembly passed a bill to set up the Delhi Sports University on a 90-acre land in Mundka in west Delhi.
The Arvind Kejriwal government’s move aims to develop world class sports infrastructure and produce more sportspersons.
Speaking to ThePrint, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, “Any student who graduates with a degree from DSU shall be entitled for any graduate or corresponding job, or even the Union Public Service Commission exam (for civil services).”
During the passage of the bill in the assembly, Sisodia said graduates from the university will bring home “three gold medals for India” from 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Delhi Sports University Bill, 2019, which will now be sent to the Delhi Lieutenant-Governor for approval, doesn’t provide a date for the establishment of the institution.
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Infrastructure and courses
To be established by the Delhi government as a state university, the Delhi Sports University will conduct academic programmes at graduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels — similar to any other university.
However, it will have multiple entry point for sportspersons who may do prescribed bridge courses and join the formal education system, according to the Act.
Specialised training will be imparted in various disciplines including sports medicine, sports technology, sports businesses and sports events and media management, among others.
The DSU will also have a sports excellence centre and schools.
The Centre for Professional Excellence in Sports will manage the training and coaching divisions to prepare sportspersons for national and international events. This will include divisions for athletics, field sports, aquatic games, indoor games, indigenous sports and adventure sports.
The schools will be affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for imparting school-level teaching with emphasis on sports. Moreover, a specialised boarding school for promotion of sports talent will also be part of the university.
The DSU will also aim to participate in community outreach and extension programmes for promotion of sporting spirit, healthy lifestyle, sports recreation and physical exercise with special focus on women and persons with special needs like physically challenged, senior citizens, etc.
Administration
DSU will be set up with an initial grant from the Delhi government. However, it shall be encouraged to evolve and develop its own revenue generation models.
The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi will serve as DSU Chancellor and the President of India will be the Visitor to the University.
Sources told ThePrint that the vice-chancellor (V-C), who will either be a sports scholar or a sportperson of international eminence, will serve as the chairperson of the management board.
Sisoida confirmed to ThePrint that a V-C will be appointed soon and various committees will then be constituted to finalise minute details such as the admission process, examination modules, awarding of degrees and diplomas, among others.
All staff and faculty members of the University will initially be hired on a contractual basis.
Only 28 medals for India in 70 yrs: Kejriwal
Stressing the need for a sports university, Kejriwal mentioned how India has won so few international medals.
“Sport is a unique arena where a nation’s capabilities are assessed. In the last 70 years, India won only 28 medals i.e. nine gold, seven silver, and 12 bronze medals, whereas, in the 2016 Rio Olympics, China alone won 70 medals. Even smaller countries have won more medals than us. In 2016, Kenya and Jamaica won 13 and 11 medals, respectively, but we won only two medals. It is very difficult to accept this,” the CM said in the House Monday.
The 34-page bill said the objective is to set up systems for talent scouting at grassroot level and develop an efficient sports organisation, elaborating on the need to have world-class sports infrastructure.
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