The dream project of the Chief Minister, Punjab, to have a Sports University established in the state at Patiala has finally begun to take shape with the State Government identifying the site for the same. The university would commence its operations from the next session in the building of Physical Education college at Patiala. The university would be a milestone in terms of revolutionizing the sports scenario of Punjab and restore the state to its earlier numero uno position in the sporting arena. This was disclosed by the Sports Minister, Punjab, Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi here today in a statement.Rana Sodhi said that a site has been identified at village Sidhuwal near Patiala for the establishment of the university and documentary process has been set in motion.The Vice Chancellor of the University would be Dr. L.S. Ranawat who is the ex-Executive Director of the National Institute of Sports (NIS).The Sports Minister said that the focus areas of the new university would be Sports Science, Sports Psychology and Sports Management in order to keep pace with the emerging and changing trends in the sports sector.
He also divulged that the university would also concentrate on the research work to make Punjab once more the top most state in sports. The course would be prepared with assistance from the Loughborough University of England. All the Physical Education colleges of Punjab would be affiliated with the new university.The Sports Minister further added that as the Chief Minister himself has remained a player he is leading the efforts to get this project to the fruition stage. Not only the Chief Minister but ex-General Secretary of the Indian Olympic Association and 5 time Olympian Raja Randhir Singh is also associated with this project of great significance. Rana Sodhi added that this proposed university would be a boon for Punjab in the field of sports and Patiala would emerge as the Sporting Capital on the National level.