Jharkhand will have its own sports academies this year, prior to the dream national sports university, right in the lap of the State capital. One sports academy will come up at Hotwar and the other at Morhabadi, comprising 15 disciplines. Both sports arenas will include stadiums and hostels.
When asked about the status of the much-awaited national sports university, Jharkhand Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh told The Pioneer, “Now we have decided to open a sports academy on a private-public partnership basis. The previous Cabinet meeting, held during December last year, had approved terms and conditions.”
The Jharkhand Infrastructure Development Corporation (JINFRA) is working as consultant for this project. Singh added that JINFRA has prepared its bid documents and the entire project is under process.
At present, the State Government seeks to focus on training of local talented sportspersons. Speaking on the purpose of these academies, deputy director in the department Sarojini lakra said, “This academy would certainly provide a platform for local players to reach international levels of their sport.”
Singh too noted, “We aim to complete work of sports academies within two or three months. A high-level presentation on this project would be held during this month. Once the committee approves the document bid for this academy, we will initiate speedy construction of this academy.”
“Despite several advertisements, no one turned up for the role of consultant for the sports university. We will consider a private-public partnership for the sports university after these academies are made,” Singh added.