No Proposal For Sports College In Northeast: Rijiju

Replying to a question raised by Shillong Lok Sabha MP Vincent H Pala centering the proposed sports university of Northeast, Union Minister (independent charge) for Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju told the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the Centre has no proposal for establishing a sports college or campus of the National Sports University in the Northeast.

According to reports, Pala sought to know from the Union Minister the status of the National Sports University in Manipur as on date, and the amount allocated and spent for the same till date.

The Congress parliamentarian from Shillong also sought to know whether every north-eastern state would be provided with a college or campus of the sports university, and the number of students enrolled every year in some programmes and courses offered by the university.

The MP also inquired about a quota on the number of seats allotted for every state in the university.

Rijiju, in reply, informed that the M/s Hindustan Steel Construction Works Ltd has been engaged as a project management consultant and it has been decided to engage TATA Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) for academic and professional consultancy and the construction has also started.

Rijiju also informed one post-graduate and two undergraduate programmes have been started at the university.

Rijiju further said that the number of students enrolled for programmes – bachelor of physical education and sports (BPES) was 14 in 2017-18 and 35 in 2018-19, and for B Sc (sports coaching), 12 students were enrolled in 2017-18 and 36 in 2018-19. There are also 4 students enrolled for MA (sports psychology).

Rijiju, however, informed that state-wise quota or seat is not allotted.