As a part of its initiative to promote sports in an institutionalized manner, the Government has decided to create state-of-the-art sports infrastructure in the universities and colleges of the State.This was announced by the Minister for Youth Services & Sports and Information Technology, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, at a high-level meeting convened here today.The Minister called for formulating proposal for development of dedicated sports infrastructure, in the first instance, at eight universities and 30 colleges across the state. "These sports centres shall act as pilot projects to enhance sports proficiency at higher education level," he said and added that the proposed sports centres in the universities and colleges will be provided with full-fledged coaches, physiotherapists, sports medicine specialists and other amenities.The Minister informed the meeting that the highly talented sportspersons associated and selected for such centres will be given training and scholarships to help cover the cost of sports kits and additional food supplements for stamina building wherever required.Vice Chancellor of the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) who was present at the meeting suggested that a Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre may be established in the university and offered to provide all the necessary support in this regard.The Minister asked the Deputy Director SAI to visit IUST, Awantipora to assess the feasibility for establishing a SAI training centre there.
The Minister also stressed on giving fillip to the hockey in Poonch and Baramulla. In this regard, the Deputy Director SAI was asked to submit a proposal for re-engaging two hockey coaches who have retired from the Authority.It was agreed in principal to hold National Championship (2017-18) in two sports disciplines, which can be conducted in Srinagar after consultations with respective federations by the Ministry. “This shall pave way for other Sports disciplines for conduct such championships in future,” the Minister said. “A proposal in this regard will be submitted to Govt of India for formal approval.”The meeting was informed that 100 PETs/ Masters have been nominated for eight weeks certificate course in various disciplines and the matter is being taken up with the NIS Patiala for formulating the training schedule of these teachers.The Minister agreed to consider the scholarship programs for international exposure and capacity building of full-fledged coaches of the state.He said the Government of India has agreed to provide extra funding to J&K for new sports facilities which will be in addition around Rs 200 crore already earmarked under the Prime Minister's Developmental Package (PMDP) for development of sports infrastructure in J&K.The Minister emphasized the need for evolving a robust sports development plan along with effective implementation and monitoring mechanism.Secretary J&K State Sports Council Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra was also present at the meeting.