Thursday, 08 August 2024 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
The State government should engage in meticulous planning for the efficient implementation of the proposed Sports University Act in Uttarakhand, the sports experts said. This comes after the State sports minister Rekha Arya stated that the Sports University Bill is all set to be presented in the upcoming session of the State assembly. As per Arya, this act will facilitate the establishment of a sports university in the State.
Asked to speak on this issue, the sports experts and enthusiasts gave a mixed response.
A retired chief football coach at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Dayal Singh Rawat said that the Sports University Bill slated to be presented in the Assembly session is a crucial initiative to boost sporting prospects of the State at the national and international levels. “Though a commendable initiative, the purpose behind it will be met only when talent is properly honed in the potential sportspersons,” he said.
He stressed on international standard training facilities to be imparted to the players that incorporates advanced training in sports biomechanics and sports psychology. “Unless the training is enhanced substantially there is little hope for the State to produce quality players. We may take for instance the case of the ace badminton player Lakshya Sen. He hails from Almora but had to relocate to Karnataka for training at Prakash Padukone Academy due to insufficient sports facilities available in Uttarakhand. The proposed Sports University Bill should be a comprehensive one. As for me, I may suggest grooming sports talents from the mountainous regions through result-oriented sports programmes. I will be very happy if the government appoints foreign coaches and trainers for them. Besides, sports training centres should be set up in high-altitude playgrounds like that in Pauri,” he added.
Speaking on the same matter, a senior journalist Raju Gusain said that the Sports University Bill offers excellent career opportunities for sports players in Uttarakhand. “However, its successful implementation hinges on effective planning and learning from successful examples in other States,” he said.
He added that the State government should go for quota-based reservation for the native sportspersons in the proposed sports university. “This protection is an imperative. Otherwise, those from other states may avail the opportunities on offer at the expense of the native players. The Sports University Bill should ensure that the facilities to be provided are significantly different from those being offered by the private sports universities. Including typical courses found in private universities will not be enough to attract athletes to the State-run sports universities. Instead, unique and modern approaches, courses, facilities and infrastructure should be offered which will help them steal a march over the private sports universities,” he added.
