Multiple questions bombard NSU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2018: With Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated to lay the foundation stone of National Sports University (NSU) Manipur in March, different quarters have raised a number of questions, the most prominent being whether NSU would be set up in the State just for name's sake.

Many quarters have raised strong suspicion whether key academies of NSU would be opened outside the State like Mohali, Dehradun, Lucknow etc.

Sources informed that there is a strong possibility of opening Sports Science section at Lucknow.

Hectic preparations are being made to commence the maiden sessions of Degree Course in Physical Education and Sports and Degree Course in Sports Coaching from January 15.On the other hand, even as the NSU Manipur Bill was expected to be passed by the Parliament during the winter session, the same could not materialise.

Nonetheless, hectic preparations are being made for laying the university's foundation stone on March 16 and commencement of academic session from January 15.Taking strong exception to the hectic preparations, the sources questioned whether there is any academic institution in India which begins its session from January.

They maintained academic sessions usually begin between April and June.

Degree Course in Physical Education and Sports Science which is proposed to be opened under NSU is already opened at DM College of Science and other colleges under Manipur University.

Even though the Degree Course in Sports Coaching is already opened in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, there is shortage of students, yet due preparations are being made to open the same course at Patiala from this academic session, the sources informed.

They questioned if it is logical to commence the same course at NSU earlier than other universities.

The further pointed out that the same four-years course has not been approved by UGC as yet.

While acknowledging that National Anti Doping Agency Director Navin Agarwal has been appointed Vice Chancellor in-charge of NSU, the sources asked whether adequate strength of Professors, administrative staff, Registrar and Controller of Examinations have been appointed.

Appointment of five Assistant Professors for Physical Education and two Assistant Professors for Sports Coaching at Kolkata would not be enough to make NSU operational, they asserted.

If the key infrastructure, academies and colleges of NSU are not opened in Manipur, people of the State would get very little benefit from the university, they said.

NSU is a grand project of Rs 514 crore and the authorities concerned should ensure that construction of physical infrastructure is done strictly in compliance with standard quality, the sources added.

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