Rijiju delivers much needed boost to NSU, sports culture of Manipur
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2019: Assuring that every sports persons, including those who pass out from the National Sports University (NSU) will be no longer left jobless with the introduction of a good sports policy, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) Kiren Rijiju has sought public cooperation in the construction of NSU, Imphal.

He also assured that he will go to Delhi and start the process for appointment of a new Vice Chancellor of NSU as soon as possible.

The Minister was addressing a function held at the permanent site of NSU at Koutruk, Imphal West today, after paying a visit at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

Stressing on the plight of the sportspersons in the State and the country as a whole, he said that the Central Government is going to come out with a very good sports policy to ensure that no sports persons are jobless and can adopt sports as a career.

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He said that he will consult all the authorities concerned in the corporate world to go at various sports institutions in various parts of India so as to identify sports persons and engage them in jobs under different capacities, such as players, coach or trainers.

"A healthy sports culture should be sustained in the country with sports being a way of life for the society.

The stereotype beliefs of the general people that one will end up jobless or without a source of income if one choose sports should be proven as wrong", he continued while asserting that the Government will pave the way for sportspersons to live successfully.

Saying that the progress of setting up NSU will only be disrupted and hindered if the locals carry out frequent protests, he sought cooperation of the public, particularly the locals residing in and around the site of NSU, Imphal.

He also asked the people to complain to the local MLA or the State Government if they have any issue with the construction of the NSU.

Expressing concern on the lack of manpower and infrastructure at the NSU, the Minister claimed that he will go to Delhi and initiate the process for appointment of VC at the earliest.

He maintained that the idea behind the establishment for NSU is not just to be an ordinary institute or centre for sports.

"NSU is symbolic and is going to be a pride of India which people from around the globe will come to join.

The Prime Minister initially announced the NSU in the first budget when he took over as the Prime Minister of India in 2014.", Rijiju said.

"Now, I come here with a renewed zeal as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports (YAS) and a new objective to ensure that the objectives set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for setting up a world class sports university here, is fulfilled.

"Now, after five years of the Prime Minister's announcement, the primary activities, such as development of land, are evident.

But the development which I wanted to witness is the real physical infrastructure and buildings", he added.

Saying that the varsity is running at a temporary location, he underscored the need for running the varsity with full fledged courses even if it is temporary.

"A university must be headed by a professional person who will be looking after the university on a day to day basis.

But at present, the Sports Secretary is looking after the varsity in the capacity of a Vice Chancellor", he said adding, "I don't want to see this temporary arrangement for a long time and so I'll go to Delhi and start the process of the appointment of a new VC as soon as possible under the prescribed norms/rules.

I'll also empower the Dean to start some of the courses like, sports medicines, science and technology.

What I said today will be delivered in practical during 2019 itself", he added.

Informing that the Central Government has already asked the architects and agencies concerned to keep in touch with the sports institutions in Korea, Japan, China, England and US etc, he expressed his desire to adopt the best of the practices around the world in the field of sports, be it sports training, education or coaching.

He further claimed that NSU is also going to give equal focus on academics, training and in every session.

Sports science, especially, is such an important part of the entire sports culture.

The South East Asian countries and African countries should be able to come here for any kind of research.

Research is also going to be one of the key components of NSU.

Hence, the NSU must be able to compete with any other sports universities of the world.

Asserting that India is prepared to send its largest contingent in 2020 Tokyo Olympic, Kiren Rijiju said that Manipuris are talented people and have brought many laurels for the country in the field of sports besides producing lots of International players.

If the talents of the Manipuris are enhanced, there will be more achievements in the future, he added.

The Minister also interacted with Judo players along with their coach and also visited the hockey ground during his visit at Khuman Lampak Indoor stadium.

He was warmly received by students of the varsity at Koutruk.

MLA H Dingo, Robindro, YAS Joint Secretary, YAS Commissioner Bobby Waikhom and YAS Director Amstrong Pame among others also accompanied Kiren Rijiju during the inspection.