Imphal, Sep 3(UNI) Union sports and youth affairs minister Kiren Rijiju today said India is preparing to send the largest contingent in 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
He added the idea for the establishment of National Sports University (NSU) in Manipur is a symbolic one, as people from different part of India and across the world will come at the University.
NSU is a University of India with International standard. The University will include courses like sports medicine, technology, students’ welfare among others which will be decided and executed as soon as possible. He also assured that he will try to implement the assurances within this year.
Rijiju who arrived here yesterday today inspected Khuman Lampak sports complex, National Sports University and Sports Authority of India.
The minister first visited Khuman Lampak Indoor stadium and interacted with Judo players along with their Coach and also visited Hockey ground. From Khuman Lampak the minister proceeded towards Koutruk at the site of the proposed National Sports University. At the venue, students of NSU warmly welcomed Mr Rijiju. Officials of NBCC accompanied him during the site inspection.
Addressing the gathering at the site of National Sports University, Mr Rijiju said that he was happy to see the site for the first time though he have already seen the area through pictures, video made during the selection presentation of the architect.
He also stated that after assuming the charge as the minister for youth affairs and sports, in his first meeting, NSU was included in the agenda. NSU was announced in the first budget in 2014 when Narendra Modi government took over and since then, he made enquiries about the progress of NSU in Manipur although he was not handling the ministry of youth affairs and sports.
He further said that, today, he came here with a renewed zeal of objective to ensure that world class sports university is established in Manipur. He expressed concern over the delay in the construction of the sports university. Despite being five years, since the announcement was made in the national budget for institution of NSU, the initial primary activities, development of land are now visible. He maintained that he wants to see the real campus and the real infrastructure. He also instructed the officials to ensure that some concrete steps must takes place.
The Minister also stated that a University must be headed by Professional persons looking after the University on day to day basis. At present, the Sports Secretary is looked after in the capacity of Vice Chancellor. Once he returns back to Delhi, he will start the process of appointment of new Vice Chancellor of the NSU, he added.
In the field of sports, Manipur has produced lots of International players and Manipur is an example for India. Manipuri people are hard working and talented but need enhancing the talents, added, the Minister.
He gave assurance that the demands and requirements placed before him if feasible will be addressed at the earliest. Government will frame a new policy wherein, sports persons will not be left jobless. The Minister appealed to the general public to extend cooperation and to allow the smooth construction without any disturbances. Mentioned may be made the area of National Sports University was 325 acre which will have Academic zone, residential zone for faculty and students as well.
Kiren Rijiju also inaugurated Synthetic Football Turf, Sports Authority of India, North East Regional Centre located at Takyelpat, Imphal in the presence of Anjan Kumar Mishra, Executive Director (Finance) SAI, New Delhi and Francis Marwein, Director, SAI NERC, Imphal. The installation of the football turf was started in June 28, 2017 and completed on January 15 last. .
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