The ambitious project of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government — Sports University Bill was passed on Monday by the Delhi Assembly with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserting that it is aimed at getting more medals than China in the Olympics.

The Bill was passed by the House with a voice vote. Participating in a discussion on the Bill, the Chief Minister said the political leaders and bureaucrats will not have a say in the functioning of the proposed Sports University. Professionals will run it instead, he said.

Kejriwal said in last 70 years, the country has won only 28 medals in Olympics. In the last Olympics in 2016, China won 70 medals, adding that there is no dearth of talent in India. 

“This Bill will realise the dream of every youth and sportsperson in the country of winning more gold than China. I am sure this dream will be realised in my lifetime. I will not go anywhere unless India wins more gold than China,” Kejriwal said in his address in the House.

He said the sports university will help India overtake China in less time than it took the neighbouring country to dominate the global sports arena.

“Delhi youth will be

given priority in admissions to the proposed university, talented youth and sportsperson from all parts of the country will also be provided opportunity at the institution,” said Kejrwal.

“This university will prove to be the ‘Mecca’ of all sportspersons of the country and relieve every patriot of the pain they feel when India fails to win medals at international events and the Olympic,” the chief minister said.

Commenting on the

current scenario, Kejriwal said although India and its people including youth are the best

in the world, but the government and system fail to support talent.

“This university is instituted in continuation of Delhi government’s various projects to improve the sporting infrastructure across the city. In the past years, Delhi’s students performed well in the National School Games and won many medals. Delhi Sports University will nourish the sporting talents of the youngsters in Delhi”, said Finance and Education minister Manish Sisodia while presenting the bill in the assembly session.

It is to be noted that the government announced first Sports University in Delhi after the cabinet nod. After the cabinet decision, the bill was sent to the Lieutenant Governor’s approval to be presented in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

As per the officials the first sports university will be constructed in Delhi’s Mundka area on a 90 acres of land. The Vice-Chancellor of this university will be an experienced sportsperson.

The objective of university is to promote sports from a early age of 13-14 and the institute will have academics and research at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, creating systems and processes for professional excellence in various

sports, undertaking skill development, sports recreation and community outreach and extension activities, developing institutional mechanism for early stage sports talent scouting and grooming and making provisions for bridge courses.

Further, AAP government has also proposed to open six university schools of studies for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and research under the DSU.