National Sports University Act—Promoting Sports Education

The National Sports University Act of 2018 was enacted to improve sports education and training in India by establishing the National Sports University. The Bill of the Act was presented in the Lok Sabha on August 10, 2018. The objective of the bill was to create a world-class university catering to sports and physical education in India and develop an institution that can satisfy the needs of sports lovers, athletes, and professionals from the country.

Why was the National Sports Bill Introduced?

India has had excellent representation in sports, with many talented athletes, such as Mary Kom, Deepika Kumari, and PT Usha, gaining international recognition. However, various challenges have hindered sports talent due to various reasons, such as the lack of proper sports education and training facilities. Athletes travel abroad to receive sports training and education. To address these problems, the government proposed the National Sports University Bill.

According to the Bill, an institution concentrating on sports education, research, and development is to be established. The bill encourages sports culture and physical fitness and provides a platform for athletes to pursue their dreams with quality education. The objective is not just to produce exceptional athletes but also to train skilled coaches and associated sports professionals such as sports scientists administrators who can contribute to the growth of the sports industry.

Procedure for Passing the Bill

The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mr Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, introduced The National Sports University Bill in the Lok Sabha on July 23, 2018. This Bill aims to create a National Sports University in Manipur. The bill replaced the National Sports University Ordinance, 2018, which was issued on May 31, 2018.

On passing the bill, the Act was labelled National Sports University Act, 2018. The Act covers the entire country.

Objectives of the National Sports University Act

The National Sports University is to have its headquarters in Manipur and can also set up other campuses, colleges, or centres in India or other countries. The University is focused on the following various criteria:

• Conducting research on the physical education domain,
• Improving sports training programs, and
• Working with foreign countries in physical education, training, among other things.

Apart from these objectives, Section 4 of the National Sports University Act also provides the purposes of the Universities

• Establish an advanced institute for studying physical education and sports sciences.
• Conduct research and share knowledge about physical education and sports sciences.
• Strengthen sports training, including traditional and tribal sports and games.
• Set up centres of excellence for education and research in sports sciences and technology.
• Provide leadership and guidance to other institutions in this field.
• Help with job placements and career guidance in sports-related fields.
• Develop skills and knowledge in physical education and sports sciences.
• Create top-notch facilities for education, training, and research in sports-related areas.
• Train highly qualified professionals in sports sciences and technology.
• Support elite athletes and promote research and innovation in sports.
• Be a leading resource centre for physical education and sports sciences.
• Perform international collaboration.
• Work closely with sports academies, schools, clubs, and associations for teaching, training, and research.
• Train talented athletes to become international champions.
• Improve performance of Indian athletes in sports.
• Achieve any other goals that the Central Government specifies through official notification.

Functions of the University

The powers and functions of the University have been briefly enumerated under Section 5 of the National Sports University Act. The National Sports University has the following necessary authorities and functions:

• Planning, designing, and developing courses in sports sciences and technology, conducting academic and training programs, and promoting research and knowledge. The university has to determine and provision the dissemination of port knowledge.
• Granting diplomas, certificates, and degrees based on exams or evaluations and withdrawing them if necessary for better and sufficient cause.
• Providing students opportunities to participate in sports tournaments and competitions with International Sports Federations, National Sports Federations, the Indian Olympic Association and the Association of Indian Universities.
• Collaborating with international professional organisations.
• Establishing and maintaining outlying campuses, regional centres, and specialised labs for research and training, with prior approval from the Central Government.
• Developing study centres and colleges, recognising institutions, and conferring honorary degrees.
• Appointing faculties and staff for teaching and academic positions includes Principal, Professor, Associate Professor, and Assistant Professor.
• Hiring teachers from other universities or institutions, even if present outside India.
• Creating administrative, ministerial, and other posts and making appointments.
• Cooperating and collaborating with other universities and institutions, even those outside the country.
• Providing distance education facilities to people as prescribed by statutes.
• Offering fellowships, scholarships, medals, and prizes to promote academic excellence and research.
• Determining subjects students should study and on which to attend training programs.
• Granting independent status to a college or institution and collecting fees from them.
• Hiring visiting professors, consultants, and others who can help the university achieve its goals.

Authorities of the University

The officers of the University, as per Section 8 of the National Sports University Act, include a Chancellor, Vice-chancellor, Deans of Schools, Registrar, Finance Officer, Controller of Examinations, librarians, and other officers.

Councils of the University

The university will have different groups to manage functioning as follows:

1. A Court to review policies, recommend improvements, consider, and pass resolutions, and advise the government.

2. An executive council is the main decision-making body.

3. An academic and activity council to oversee academic policies and to coordinate and exercise general supervision over the educational policies of the University.

4. A Board of Sports Studies to approve research subjects and improve teaching standards.

5. A Finance Committee to check expenses and recommend budget limits.

Composition of the Executive Council as Per the National University Act

According to Section 19 of the National Sports University Act, the Executive Council will look into the administration of the University. The central government will nominate its members to serve for 2 years.

The Council is to include the Vice-Chancellor (chosen by the central government), the Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and four people experienced in the sports field, such as famous sports personalities, or excellent coaches.

Functioning of Councils

The councils perform the following essential functions:

1. Create academic positions and hold appointments for such positions.

2. Handle the money and assets of the University.

3. Manage and control the finances of the University.

4. To provide sports training and education and investigate the overall administration of the university.

5. Collaborate with industries and non-government agencies to enhance knowledge.

Power to Make Statutes

Section 25 of the National Sports University Act provides the power of the executive council to set statutes. The Executive Council has the authority to make new statutes, amend existing ones, and repeal any statue whenever necessary. This power of the Executive Council is subject to the prior approval of the Central Government.

The section also provides for the Central Government the power to make statutes. The Central Government may, at its discretion, make new statutes or amend or repeal any existing statues. The Government also holds the power to direct the universities to make any provisions.

A schedule is attached to the Act that provides for the Statute of the University. The statute provides for appointing the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and their powers and functions.

Role of the Central Government

The role of the central government is to check the status of the University. In case of any issues, the government can ask the Executive Council to initiate action. If the Council does not act, then the government can give them specific instructions. The government can cancel any activity that is against the rules set by the Act.

According to Section 42 of the Act, the Central Government has the power to such provisions as it may deem necessary to give effect to the provisions of this Act.

Functioning of the Universities

1. Making of rules, statutes, and ordinances: According to Section 27, university authorities can create rules for how they and their committees should work. These rules must follow the Act, Statutes, and Ordinances of the University based on the guidelines provided in the Statutes.

2. Preparation of annual report: According to Section 28, the University has to write a yearly report on the action initiated and status of the activity to achieve their goals. The Executive Council will supervise the preparation of the report, which should cover various things.

This report must be given to the Court at a specific date set by the rules of the University. The Court will review the account during its yearly meeting. Next, the Court will send the report to the Central Government with any comments they may have. The Central Government will share the account with both Houses of Parliament as soon as possible.

3. Funds of Universities: The University is allotted specific funds, which shall include the contribution or grants provided by the Universities Grants Commission or by the State Government, made by any government, semi-government or autonomous bodies, any loans, gifts, bequests, donations, endowments or other grants, as well as income from the fees and charges of the university.

4. Arguments and appeals related to the University: Any student or candidate whose name has been removed from the rolls of the University and who has been barred from appearing for examinations may appeal to the Executive Council for reviewing the decision.

If any dispute occurs out of disciplinary action, a tribunal of arbitration may be formed at the demand of the student. Disputes arising because of the contract between an employee and the University may be referred to a tribunal of arbitration.

Conclusion

The National Sports University Act 1988 was introduced to provide for universities dealing with sports training and physical education to the athletes. The Bill helped in establishing The National Sports University headquartered in Manipur.

The Bill became an act after it was passed in the Parliament and it incorporated all provisions related to the University, its members, its composition, powers, and functions of various councils.