In order to encourage the students to opt for a career in sports, Maharana Pratap Sports College was established by the State Government in 1993. To nurture budding players, the State Government spends around Rs four crore meant for 260 such students annually.
However, the students who are studying in this college said on Tuesday that they are being given poor quality food by the college administration. A college student, who has opted for volleyball, said that the college does not provide quality food to the enrolled students.
The college principal Manoj Sharma said that many college students had made the state proud by winning medals at national and international level competitions since its inception. "College conducts tests for the aspirants and they are enrolled for games like Football, Athletic, Cricket, Boxing, Volleyball and Hockey. Students are enrolled on class VI and they complete their Class XII board examination from Uttarakhand Class XII board. National coaches from various fields are invited in the college periodically," he said.
He further claimed that the students are being given food as per the guidelines issued by the State Government.
"The Government releases Rs 150 for one day meal per student to the college. Nivedita Cattery won the auction for providing meal to the students and they are paid Rs 144 for one day meal per student," he added. Nivedita Cattery is feeding the students for the last one and half year, it is learnt.