Will Odisha pursue with the central Govt. for sports & Physical Education University.

Bhubaneswar: By: Basant Rath, Sr.Journalist.

The 12th plan working group report on Sports and Physical Education recommends the establishment of four regional centers of LNUPE and 5 new sports and physical education universities or physical education colleges. 

Odisha should pursue with the central government regarding having one of the establishment of a National Sports Institute/University in Odisha as proposed by the 12th plan working group on Sports and Physical Education. That not only offers training in the sports Odisha excels in (Hockey – men’s and women’s, Football, Rowing, etc.) but also offers the above mentioned programs so that every athlete of Odisha is able to simultaneously pursue a certificate,diploma,degree in one of the above disciplines and is able to make a decent living.

The recent election of Mr. Dilip Tirkey as a Rajya Sabha MP can be argued as an indication that the Odisha government is serious about promoting sports in a wholesome way, with particular attention to adivasis.

Thus Odisha  should vigorously pursue considering that Sundergarh and Rourkela area is the hotbed of Odisha athletics mainly Hockey and it would be good to locate the proposed National Sports Institute/University in Sundergarh/Rourkela. It may have branches in Kendrapada and Bhubaneswar to cater to the women footballers of Kendrapada and other sports persons in Bhubaneswar/Cuttack. Moreover the university in Sundergarh/Rourkela can also cater to athletes in Jharkhand.

It has been recommended that for meeting the increasing demand of Physical education teacher and producing quality PETs at ;east four regional centers of LNUPE and 5 new sports and physical  education universities, physical education colleges should be opened during 12^th Plan. An outlay of Rs.900 crore on this account during the is projected.