Chandigarh, December 31: Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Mr. Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi today said that laying of the foundation stone of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh Punjab Sports University in Patiala is one of the most notable achievements of the Sports Department during the year 2020.
The construction of this university on 96 acres of land at village Sidhuwal near Patiala would cost Rs.500 crore for the university.
Rana Sodhi said that in the first phase, three administrative blocks and separate hostels for boys and girls, each with a capacity of 400 students, would be constructed at a cost of Rs.60 crore. The University is currently running Bachelor’s and M.P.Ed courses in Physical Education and budding athletes and youngsters are enthusiastically taking admission in the University, he added.
Rana Sodhi said that after being into existence to promote Sports Science, Sports Technology, Sports Management and Sports Coaching in the state of Punjab, the university has completed almost one year in its existing campus.
The Sports Minister further said, complying with the decision to provide same prize money benefits as of other players to the Diwyang players, who have brought laurels for the country at the international level, the department has disbursed prize money of Rs.50 lakh each to three Divyang players of the state this year.
“Power lifter Paramjit Kumar, shot-putter Mohammad Yassir and Para badminton player Raj Kumar were handed over checks worth Rs.50 lakh each”, said the cabinet minister, adding that the state government has also ensured 3% reservation in government jobs for the sportspersons so that the sportspersons do not face any financial hardship.
He added that the department has sufficient funds for the prize money of 1132 medal winners from 2015-16 till date but due to Corona epidemic it was difficult to distribute this amount. The prize money will be handed over to these players soon, he said.
Rana Sodhi said that the sports department has also decided to hold the next edition of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awards to ensure due respect to the players. He said that more efforts were being made to encourage the players.
