President Kovind approves cabinet's ordinance to build first sports national university

President Ram Nath Kovind has given his approval to the Union Cabinet’s on an ordinance to set up India’s first national sports university in Manipur.

"National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 has come into force as the President of India has given his assent to the Union Cabinet's decision to promulgate the said Ordinance," stated an official release on Friday.

Earlier on May 23, the Union Cabinet had approved an ordinance to set up the country’s first national sports university in Imphal.

"National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 ("the Ordinance") will be on the lines of the National Sports University Bill, 2017, introduced in Lok Sabha on 10.08.2017.

"This will be a specialised University, first of its kind, to promote sports education in the areas of sports sciences, sports technology, sports management and sports coaching besides functioning as the national training centre for select sports disciplines by adopting the best international practices," the release said.

The proposal was officially announced by the finance minister in his 2014-15 budget speech in 2014.

A total of 325.90 acres of land has been made available by the Government of Manipur in the district of Koutruk, for setting up the university.

"The University would provide a boost to sports activities in the country, and also improve the country's sports performance at the national and international levels. The proposed University has also considerable employment generation potential."