varsity identified as Extension centre for sports authority of India after its training facilities were ready well in time for the commonwealth games
Varsity identified as extension centre for sports authority of India after its training facilities were ready well in time for the Commonwealth Games
The university that has produced one of India's finest cricketers, Virender Sehwag, has been selected as the Extension Centre for Sports Authority of India (SAI).
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| MAGICAL MOMENT: Jamia (above) is now a part of Sports Authority of India's plans to promote sports at the junior level. pic/imtiyaz khan |
Jamia Millia Islamia has reason to be proud, as its training grounds were ready for the Commonwealth Games well before the deadline, and have been constructed within the allocated budget, with money to spare.
Now, the university campus will be used as a Special Training Centre (STC) for students falling in the age group of 13-18 years. The centre would be open to students from all over the country.
Catching them young"It is important for sports to play a bigger role in nation building and to be taken as a serious career option. This is to give a fair chance to children who are bright, but have been denied the right atmosphere for practising sports.
The centre will have Special Area Games Schemes for junior level trainees in sports like tennis, hockey, athletics, volleyball and football," said Simi Malhotra, lecturer and Media Coordinator of Jamia.
These schemes are being supported by the Sports Authority of India with a view to promote sports at all levels especially at the junior level. The idea is to improve sports standards in schools and colleges who organise specific sporting events and have had commendable results.
Right step, right time
The establishment of the special centre for games would actually enable students to have the environment to pursue respective sports and work upon their individual skills. This would prepare the grounds for students to learn and discover their abilities while they are still young.
"The opening of the special centre is a step forward and has come at the right time. It's time the country had a better perspective on sports. It needs to be diversified and taken forward so that we are prepared to compete efficiently at the international level.
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Sports have to mature," said Asaf Nawaz Khan, student at Jamia. All schools and colleges actively involved in sports, with adequate infrastructure, and a history of producing national sports persons, are eligible for this scheme. The games centre had recently conducted selection trials for hockey, volleyball, football and athletics.u00a0
