Delhi Sports University to award degrees: Kejri
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the upcoming Delhi Sports University will provide degrees to sportspersons to help them get jobs if they want to work. He said the Delhi government has eliminated three difficulties faced by sportspersons — lack of facilities, lack of monetary support, and political intervention in selection processes.
“At the Delhi Sports University, players will be provided degrees in their respective sports such as BA in kabaddi, BA in wrestling and BA in cricket among others. This will help them get jobs in case they want to work,” Kejriwal said at a ceremony to provide financial assistance to sportspersons here.
“It is quite common for sportspersons to face a dilemma between sports and career. They have to quit studies and if they are unable to achieve success in sports, then it becomes very difficult for them to get a job.”
“The employer asks them what their educational qualifications are and if they have a bachelor’s degree. Now, they need not worry about it. Whatever sport you choose, you will get a degree in the same and you will be eligible to apply for any job,” he added.
Kejriwal said he wished that every athlete achieves success and makes the country proud but if they fall short, other avenues of employment should remain open.
“This is a new experiment which is first of its kind in the country. Many such experiments are in the pipeline. I am optimistic that Delhi will make the country proud and our infrastructure will help the athletes in achieving great results,” he added.
“In the first year of the scheme, we have distributed financial assistance of `9.51 crore to 117 players to develop their talent. We dream of an India where sportspersons bring more medals than China and America at international events. We will not allow talented players to face any lack of funds, we have to make the country proud,” Kejriwal said.