Union Minister of State (Independent charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday inspected old sports infrastructures at Khuman Lampak sports complex in Imphal, National Sports University (NSU) at Koutruk village and Sports Authority of India premises at Takyelpat in the outskirts of Imphal.
Rijiju arrived in Imphal on his maiden visit to Manipur on Monday after becoming union sports minister.
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The minister was accompanied by MLAs H Dingo (Sekmai), T Robindro (Thanga) besides state sports commissioner, Bobby Waikhom and director, Amstrong Pame among others.
Addressing a function organized at Koutruk, the site of NSU, union minister Rijiju said that the main objective of his visit was to see the NSU site though he have already seen the area through pictures and video made during the selection presentation of the architect.
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The idea for the establishment of NSU is not just as a small institute or just a centre for sports, but a symbolic one, as people from different part of India and across the world will come at the university.
Stating that after assuming the charge as the minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, in his first meeting, NSU was included in the agenda.
NSU was announced in the first budget in 2014 when Narendra Modi government took over and since then, he made enquiries about the progress of NSU in Manipur although he was not handling the ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Expressing concern over the delay in the construction of the sports university, the visiting minister said that he wants to see the real campus and the real infrastructure.
He also instructed the officials to ensure that something concrete steps must takes place.
Stating that the NSU is not only for Manipur State but it is a University of India with International standard, he said the University will include courses like sports medicine, technology, students’ welfare among others which will be decided and executed as soon as possible,assuring that what he said today will be delivered in practical during 2019 itself.
He also assured that a regular vice chancellor and other deans of the NSU will be appointed soon once he returns back to Delhi.
At present, the sports secretary is looking after in the capacity of vice chancellor.
He gave assurance that the demands and requirements placed before him if feasible will be addressed at the earliest.
He also appealed to the general public to extend cooperation and to allow the smooth construction without any disturbances.
The total area of NSU at Koutruk was 325 acre and it is expected to accommodate Academic zone, residential zone for faculty and students as well.
Later, Union Minister Rijiju inaugurated Synthetic Football Turf, Sports Authority of India, North East Regional Centre located at Takyelpat, Imphal.
He also attended an overall review meeting with the officials of NSU and state sports department at state secretariat hall prior to his departure for national capital.