Union Sports Ministry selects Rajiv Gandhi University for NCSSR scheme

NEW DELHI: A centre of excellence on Sports Science Education and Research will be established at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) under the National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) scheme. The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry has selected the university for establishing the centre of excellence. MSc and PhD programmes in sports sciences and collaborative research in the area of sports sciences will be conducted by the centre with the purpose of raising the level of the Indian sportspersons’ performance in international competitions.

This has been confirmed by the ministry to the RGU through a letter to the VC wherein the estimated cost for establishing the centre at the university has also been shared. The letter confirms that a grant of around Rs 3.50 crore per PG programme to cover the expenditure for three years will be given to the university, however, after three years, RGU has to become self-sustainable to continue the scheme.

According to a report by The Hindustan Times, the letter further reads, “The university needs to carry out a gap analysis in infrastructure and human resources with timelines and fund requirements to bridge the gaps. On submission of the proposal, the Department of Sports would give necessary financial approval.”

Furthermore, the letter mentions that the grantee university will need to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NCSSR and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to support high-performance sportspersons preparing for national and international competitions. The MoU would also confirm that the grantee university will have to work more closely with national and state sports organisations.

As per the plan, besides Rajiv Gandhi University, all the universities identified for the scheme are required to make a consortium and work jointly for research, curriculum development and scientific support service which is to be provided to the sportspersons. Not only this, but the records and other details about the sportsmen have to be managed and maintained by the centre of the university and shared with their counterparts.

The centre of excellence would offer 6 months certificate programmes, PG and PhD programmes. The certificate courses would be offered in sports biomechanics, sports anthropometry, performance analysis, sports biochemistry, sports nutrition, sports psychology, sports physiology, sports training methods/fitness management and sports physiotherapy with a seat intake of 10 per discipline. While the PG programmes would also take 10 students per discipline, the seat intake for PhD in sports nutrition would only be 4.