Chandigarh: The erstwhile Maharaja Bhupinder Singh's dream of preserving the rich sporting heritage and dominance of Punjab in sports by establishing a sports educational institute of international eminence, has come to fruition. An ultra-tech campus of the first sports university of the state — Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, Patiala will soon be established over 92.7 acres of land. The university is set to cost around Rs. 500 crore.
The Punjab Sports, Youth Services and NRI Affairs Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi addressing a press conference here said, the campus of the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University, the brainchild of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, will be coming up on the Patiala-Bhadson road at village Sidhuwal. It will be adjacent to the Rajiv Gandhi National Law University. 92.7 acres of land has been acquired to establish the campus equipped with the ultra-modern sports facilities.
The Minister also released a booklet with complete details about the university on the occasion.
"The Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh will lay the foundation stone of MBS Punjab Sports University on October 25", informed the minister adding that the architectural plan of the university has been prepared by the Chief Architect, PWD Punjab.
The Minister also divulged that a modern campus with world-class training and academic infrastructure to promote sports education in sports sciences, sports technology, sports management and sports coaching of international standards, will be established with an estimated cost of Rs.500 Crore by Public Works Department (B&R).
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State-of-the-art sports facility in the offing
Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi informed that the construction work of the campus of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University will comprise of state-of-the-art sports facilities such as; outdoor sports playground to include synthetic Athletic stadium, Astro-Turf hockey grounds, basketball, handball/ volleyball courts and shooting cum archery range, Indoor Multi-purpose Halls for boxing and wrestling, weightlifting, Badminton, Squash, Gymnasium and Yoga. And state-of-the-art Fitness Center equipped with the latest scientific apparatus and technology. The Academic Block will comprise of specialized scientific labs for sports science and biomechanics courses, auditorium, separate residential areas for girls and boys and an office block. Apart from this, the university will house a museum to preserve the rich sporting glory, tradition and heritage of Punjab.
'Sports science, Technology and Management' to the taught
The Sports Minister Rana Sodhi categorically said that it would be the first time in Punjab when sports would be treated as something way beyond the boundaries of physical activities on the field. Other aspects such as sports science, sports technology and sports management would be taught thus bringing about a drastic transformation in the changes in the psyche of our sportspersons.
Four sports and Yoga sessions from ensuring session
The MBS Punjab Sports University, which received official recognition from the UGC on 9th September 2019 and became functional on 16 September 2019, conducting two courses namely B.P.E.S. and PG Diploma in Yoga, while four courses; B.P.E.S. (1st and 2nd Year), M.sc. Yoga and Post-Graduation Diploma in Yoga will be started with effect from the ensuing session, said the Minister, adding that futuristic courses in line with the demands of the sports industry and scientific coaching are being planned.
MBPSU will prove to be a game-changer: Abhinav Bindra
Speaking on the occasion, Olympic Champion Shooter Abhinav Bindra said that setting up of the specialized sports university in Punjab will prove to be a game-changer and would act not only as an institution providing State of the art training in sports but would be an inspiration for the youngsters of the State as well as the country. He also thanked the Sports Minister for playing a pivotal role in the establishment of the prestigious university.
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