A Step to Change the Sports Culture of India

The LokSabha recently passed a bill in August to establish one of a kind university for sports according to National Sports University Bill, 2018. Prior to 2018 the Bill was introduced in the House in 2017 by Mr. Vijay Goel, Minister of State for Youth Affair and Sports but was not passed, hence there was a requirement of an Ordinance. The current Bill is set to replace National Sports University Ordiance, 2018 which was enforced by President in May 2018.
The Bill was again introduced in the LokSabha this year on July 23 2018 by Mr. Rajvardhan Singh Rathore, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. Itis passed by a voice vote. The Bill is set to establish a Sports University in Manipur.
The agendas of the Bill emphasizes on having an institution established which would dedicate itself with sports research, education and counseling. Apart from that it has many roles whichincludes of collaboration internationally in regards to the field of physical education. According to the Bill the key functions of the University comprises of giving autonomous status to a college or institution, facilitate distance education system regarding physical education and suggesting a course guideline and conducting training camps or programmes, also providing diplomas, degrees and certificates for the same.
The authority of Court was sought to review policies and suggest measures for its development to the University. The Executive Council will remain as the principle executive body monitoring all the administrative affairs of the University. Members will be nominated by the central government and their tenure period would be two years. The central government would be the one to inspect and review the functioning of the University from time to time. However, the executive council is free to take decisions on the said findings.
A certain level of science could be traced in every aspect of human life, sports are no exception. A sports science needs to be maintained in deciding the sports syllabus, which is currently lacking. An environment needs to be created which will help to provide a base to facilitate grass root programs, i.e., to spot and nurture the raw talent that primary schools have to provide. Government needs to allocate land and invest in resources of training equipment, infrastructure and facility, performance monitoring instrument. The Indian coaches also need to learn new ways and be sent to advance-level coaching abroad.
On a personal note, in my opinion the existing sports culture of India is bound to benefit a lot from the Bill. Currently our country has a practice to only start preparing two years before the Games. Not only does that affect the performance but also doesn’t provide for an adequate time to nurture budding players under the categories of under-14 and under-16. The field of sports requires long -term investment, best trainings and best facilities as our country wishes to compete in the international level..
Apart from this the mindset of Indian parents needs to be changed. They see sports quota’s, sports scholarships and corporate sponsorship as a ticket to enter a high-end college which would ultimately lead to employment. Hence, their lack of judgment over the playing fields, facilities or the scrutiny of their ward playing under the wrong category. Also the stardom, media coverage and sponsor funding had led to cricket and football overshadowing other sports.
The only point worth criticism in the Bill is that according to this the central government has the full authority and control on the workings and decisions of the said institution. This implies that the Bill does not make the University an autonomous body.

By- BhanuPriyaBhati
Student reporter INBA