Pending National Sports University Bill

What is the issue?

Inspite of India winning medals in the Commonwealth games, the bill for establishing National Sports University is still pending

What is the bill about?

• The Bill aims to establish a National Sports University (NSU) in Manipur, which will be empowered to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates.
• NSU will promote sports education in the areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management, and sports coaching. 
• NSU will impart training to sports officials, referees and umpires and evolve as centres of excellence in various disciplines.
• The bill also proposes to establish campuses and study centres in other parts of the country. 

What is the need for such a bill?

• In India there are various gaps existing in the national sports environment like sports science, technology, management and high performance training, which needs to be improvised.
• There is also a need to support the athletes holistically who win medals for India and to encourage the talent present in the country.
• Thus a full-fledged sports university which provides sports education in international standards will deal with all these concerns.

What are the actions so far taken in this regard?

• The NSU is proposed to be set up within a period of 2 financial years, including establishment of outlying campuses inside and outside India.
• Memorandum of understanding has been signed by the Union government with Sports universities in Australia, for development of curriculum, research facilities and laboratories.

Source: The Hindu, PRS