RGU to host Central Centre of Excellence on Sports Science Education and Research

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has selected Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) at Rono Hills, near here, to establish a centre of excellence on Sports Science Education and Research under the ministry's scheme of National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR).

The Centre would conduct M.Sc and Ph.D programmes in sports sciences and conduct collaborative research in the area of sports sciences which would lead to enhancement of performance of Indian sportspersons in international competitions.

A letter from the ministry to RGU vice chancellor on Monday informed that the total estimated cost for three years is Rs 3.50 crore per PG programme to cover expenditure and after three years, the grantee institution has to be self reliant to continue the scheme.

"The university needs to carry out gap analysis in infrastructure and human resources with time lines and fund requirements to bridge the gaps. On submission of the proposal, the department of sports would give necessary financial approval," the letter written by under secretary to the union ministry Subhabrata Karmakar said.

It added that the grantee university would required to sign an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sports Authority of India (SAI) and NCSSR to support high performance sportsmen preparing for national and international competitions and other SAI schemes and should work more closely with national and state sports organizations.

"Data and records of the sportspersons should be managed by the centre and should be shared with the counterparts," the letter said adding, all the identified universities should make a consortium and work jointly for research, curriculum development and scientific support service to be provided to sportspersons.

The letter added that he centre is expected to trigger on research and development activities in applied areas of sports sciences and would show a significant improvement of standard of research in sports sciences as evidenced by significant application and dissemination of the new research output for improvement of sports performance, the letter added.

The centre would conduct certificate courses (six months) in sports anthropometry, sports biochemistry, sports biomechanics & performance analysis, sports nutrition, sports physiology, sports psychology, sports training methods/fitness management and sports physiotherapy with minimum ten students per discipline.

It would also conduct masters (PG) programme (two years) in all the disciplines with ten students each. Moreover, the center would also conduct PhD programme for four students in sports nutrition.