Maharashtra to set up dedicated sports university

MUMBAI: With an aim of encouraging research and training in the field of sports, Maharashtra government is setting up a state-of-the-art sports university at Kalva in neighbouring Thane district.
Sports and youth welfare minister Padmakar Valvi said his department had been allotted 50-acre land by the revenue ministry at the Thane suburb for setting up the dedicated facility.
"Maharashtra is facing shortage of sports coaches. Our endeavour will be (to) train sports professionals with courses and curriculum which encourage research in physical education and modern sports techniques," he said.
The sports university will be on par with the international standards and will come up on 50 acres of land with a sports complex on the premises, Valvi said, adding the mangroves which occupy about 10 acres of the total land will be protected.
Underlining his government's efforts in promoting sports, Valvi said the Mumbai district sports complex, constructed at the cost of Rs 22 crore at Dharavi in central Mumbai, is ready and will be inaugurated in June.
He further said that his department was in the process of drafting a government resolution (GR) aiming to bring about a clarity in the implementation of the state's youth and sports policy.
Two high-powered committees, headed by the chief minister, will be formed soon and they will meet every three months to monitor and review the implementation of the programmes and policies under the youth and sports policy.
Valvi said 90 per cent of the schemes under the policy are new.
"Out of the 22 recommendations, only two, namely setting up of youth commission and providing financial assistance to youth are rejected," he added.
Both the committees will be mandated to reforming existing programmes for youth and sports and bringing about the new ones that require funds, Valvi said.
Valvi said the city-based wrestler Narsing Yadav, who has qualified for 2012 London Olympics, will be provided financial assistance of Rs 15 lakh.
Yadav had won gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the Men's freestyle 74-kg wrestling.
Earlier, the government had given Rs 15 lakh each to Rani Sarnobat and Virdhaval Khade who have qualified for Olympics.