THE Maharashtra cabinet approved a draft bill for the formation of international sports university and it was passed in the Winter Session of the state Legislature in December. Members of the famous Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal (HVPM), Amravati were called for a meeting seeking their guidance on modelling of the university.

 

The meeting, chaired by State Sports Minister Sunil Kedar was held recently at Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankul, Balewadi, Pune where the proposed university will be housed. Mandal’s secretary Dr Madhuri Chendge, internationally acclaimed yoga expert ex-principal Dr Arun Khodaskar and Degree College of Physical Education’s vice-principal Dr SP Deshpande attended the meet and gave suggestions explaining their views in detail with the help of powerpoint presentation. Khodaskar requested to include yoga in the first year itself. Chendge advocated on including sports in school curriculum so that the base of good physique is prepared at a younger age. It has been decided in the meeting that in the first year of the international sports university, the following three courses would be offered: Sports Science, Sports Technology and Sports Coaching & Training.

 

Almost twenty-five years ago, under the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi, the state had proposed to construct a sports university. At that time a three-member committee was formed to look into the feasibility of the project. HVPM’s chief secretary (then) Padmashri Prabhakarrao Vaidya was one of the members. State’s Sports Commissioner Omprakash Bakoriya was prominently present in the meeting. International Sports University has been proposed with an aim to promote and develop sports culture in Maharashtra. Members of Hanuman Vyayam Prasarak Mandal sharing a light moment with State Sports Minister Sunil Kedar (L).