Sports University plan has gained momentum with recent directions given by Chief Minister Raghubar Das. The State Government has finally found companies for running the proposed National Sports University and an MoU with these selected companies for a period of 30 years is likely to be signed soon to be set up and run on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
“Bengaluru based companies Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Education Trust and HPT Sports Management Private limited along with Il&FS limited from Mumbai have been chosen on the basis of recommendations framed by the state government,” Sports Director Dadan Choubey told The Pioneer last week. Choubey retired on January 31.
“Government’s role is to ensure that more than 50 per cent seats in the Sports University are reserved for locals on nominal fee structure. The private partners are authorised to select students for the remaining seats and decide their fee structure. Unless, Cabinet does not sanction the MoU, further action cannot be taken,” he added.
The Government had earlier denied bearing the expenses for establishing the university at Mega Sports Complex, Hotwar. However, after several inquiries conducted by Finance Department, there are chances of investment from the Government’s side, mentions the reports of Sports Department. Students will be accommodated at Khelgaon Residential Complex.
“We are hopeful to pay the amount to our private partners in 25 or 30 installments,” Choubey said. Sources maintained that Higher Education department is also playing a pivotal role in the plan. During the 34th National Games here in 2011, Government had announced to start this University in order to maintain the Rs100 crore infrastructure. Since 2013, JINFRA had been assisting the Government as advisory team.
According to the website of Sports Authority of Jharkhand (SAJHA), departments of Physical Education, Sports Management, Sports Technology, Recreational Sports and Wellness, Medical and Health Sciences along with Coaching are proposed for the state-of-art facilities university. Around 25 sports disciplines like Archery, Gymnastics, Athletics, Canoeing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Badminton, Weightlifting, Table Tennis and Kabaddi are to be covered under the university.
Veteran Olympian Manohar Topno who is currently deputed in an official job felt his abilities are ignored and the Sports University could have given him platform to show his skills. “I am aged but still have adequate potential to coach the budding players. If the Sports University was functional, many veteran players like me would have got justice towards our talent. We could have served as Coach,” added Topno.
Sources maintained Topno and another Olympian Sylvanus Dungdung had met the Former Sports Minister Geetashree Oraon several times when she was holding the post in 2014. “Sports University could have benefitted players like us. It is high time when the newly formed Government should take initiatives,” said Former Indian Hockey Women’s team Captain Ashunta lakra, also the vice-president of Hockey Jharkhand.
The objective behind the university set-up is basically to encourage the exchange of good practices and highlighting the role of sport can play in educational system in order to promote the social inclusion of disadvantaged groups.