CHENNAI, DEC 6 :”Universities can play important role in producing International

standard athletes and the government is planning to set up Centres of Excellence in

sports science”, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Youth and Sports

Affairs Anurag Thakur said today.

“I am planning to convene a meeting with the VC’s of 40 to 50 universities to prepare

a blue print for the project, he said, while interacting with the sports personalities,

office bearers of the Indian Olympic Association and other sports associations, here.

Pointing out that there were 943 private universities in the country, the Minister said

even if each university can adopt an athlete and provide them with education and

international training facilities, India will be able to produce 900 to 1000 International

athletes.

To make a big start in this direction, various Sports Centre of Excellence have been

launched under the Khelo India Project, he said, adding, Centers of Excellence in

the field of sports science is also been planned.

An athlete cannot achieve anything without the support of science. There is a lot of

science behind the success of athletes, the Union Minister said.

A sports science center is been planned in Sonipet, Haryana. Similar centers will be

established in Bengaluru, Karnataka and Patiala, Punjab also, Anurag Thakur said.

He also said that Prime Minister . Narendra Modi is giving special attention to the

development of sports in the country.(UNI)