The National Sports University Bill, 2018, was on Thursday passed by Parliament, after a nod from the Rajya Sabha.

The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, seeks to establish a National Sports University in Manipur to promote education in sports sciences, technology, management, and coaching.

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Replying to a debate, Union Minister for Youth and Sports Affairs Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said the bill was a major step towards bringing to reality Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of developing a world-class 360-degree sports ecosystem in India.

“The government has focused on each and every need of budding sportspersons and has enhanced their stipends and food and supplement allowances. The varsity Chancellor will be from the sports field and even its Academic Council as well as academic activities will have members from sports field,” he said.

Seeking the members cooperation for the bill’s passage, Rathore said that it is everyone’s responsibility to take Indian sports forward, be it the central or the state governments or the private sector.

The university will grant degrees, diplomas and certificates in various sports-related disciplines.

Its key objectives would be research, development and dissemination of knowledge in physical education and sports sciences, strengthening training programmes, generating knowledge capabilities and training talented athletes.

It will function as a national training centre for select sports disciplines. It may also establish campuses and study centres in other parts of the country.