Neglected University level in state will be boosted by ISU, says Henry Menezes

Former India footballer Henry Menezes

Former India footballer Henry Menezes, who has been appointed to the Governing Council (GC) of the International Sports University (ISU) formed by the Maharashtra government and being set up near Pune, believes it's a path-breaking initiative to improve sport and academics.

"The University level is the very foundation for sportspersons. There is a lot of talent and scope for improvement at this level, but unfortunately, somehow, this avenue has been ignored," Menezes, a former India goalkeeper, told mid-day.com.

Maharashtra's minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sunil Kedar recently announced that the state's first ISU will be set up at the Balewadi Sports Complex and will be operational from October this year. "The aim is to produce match winners from Maharashtra, who can go on and become medal winners for the country," Kedar had said during an interaction with reporters of the Sports Journalists Association of Nagpur recently.

Pistol shooter and Olympian Anjali Bhagwat, former cricketer Nilesh Kulkarni, rugby player Rahul Bose and veteran cricket administrator Prof Ratnakar Shetty are some of the other members appointed to the ISU's GC. As per a GR issued by the state, the GC will have to "review and deliberate on short and long term reforms in academic, research and development activities in physical education, sports education and training that are taking place at the national and global level with a view to allow them to percolate into the university." Menezes added that the scope of the project is vast and very crucial.

"In most developed nations like the USA and across Europe, the University level of sport and education is very efficient. It has thrown up many future international and world champions. Here too, we can bring about such a transformation. We can look at the introduction of a new sports curriculum besides working towards talent-spotting and encouragement at the University level. This concept can completely transform Maharashtra's University level sporting, cultural and educational scenario," explained Menezes.

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