Information and Public Relations Department, Chandigarh, Punjab,December 31: Punjab Sports and Youth Services Minister Mr. Rana Gurmit SinghSodhi today said that laying of the foundation stone of Maharaja BhupinderSingh Punjab Sports University in Patiala is one of the most notableachievements of the Sports Department during the year 2020. The construction ofthis university on 96 acres of land at village Sidhuwal near Patiala would costRs.500 crore for the university.
Rana Sodhi said that in the first phase, threeadministrative blocks and separate hostels for boys and girls, each with acapacity of 400 students, would be constructed at a cost of Rs.60 crore. TheUniversity is currently running Bachelor's and M.P.Ed courses in PhysicalEducation and budding athletes and youngsters are enthusiastically takingadmission in the University, he added.
Rana Sodhi said that after being into existence to promoteSports Science, Sports Technology, Sports Management and Sports Coaching in thestate of Punjab, the university has completed almost one year in its existingcampus.
The Sports Minister further said, complying with thedecision to provide same prize money benefits as of other players to the Diwyangplayers, who have brought laurels for the country at the international level,the department has disbursed prize money of Rs.50 lakh each to three Divyangplayers of the state this year. "Power lifter Paramjit Kumar, shot-putterMohammad Yassir and Para badminton player Raj Kumar were handed over checksworth Rs.50 lakh each", said the cabinet minister, adding that the stategovernment has also ensured 3% reservation in government jobs for thesportspersons so that the sportspersons do not face any financial hardship. Headded that the department has sufficient funds for the prize money of 1132medal winners from 2015-16 till date but due to Corona epidemic it wasdifficult to distribute this amount. Theprize money will be handed over to these players soon, he said.
Rana Sodhi said that the sports department has also decidedto hold the next edition of the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Awards to ensure duerespect to the players. He said that more efforts were being made to encouragethe players.