Bill to establish sports university in Telangana introduced in Assembly

A bill to establish Young India Physical Education and Sports University in Telangana was tabled in Assembly

Decks are being cleared for the establishment of Young India Physical Education and Sports University (YIPE&SU) in Telangana

Brainchild of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the proposed university is billed as a strategic step towards advancing Telangana’s sports ecosystem and enhancing the country’s presence in the global sports stage. Industries and IT Minister D. Sridhar Babu tabled the Bill for establishment of the Sports University in the Legislative Assembly on behalf of the Chief Minister on Monday (December 16, 2024).

According to the Bill, the university would play a crucial role in developing world class professionals in sports sciences, coaching, management and medicine contributing to both education and high performance athletics. The university would aim to nurture elite athletes, support research and drive sports related economic growth positioning Telangana as leader in the country’s sports sector.

On the financial side, the Sports University would require an estimated capital expenditure of ₹185 crore over the first year for upgrading existing infrastructure including classrooms, offices and other facilities. The estimated operational expenditure (Opex) over the first three years was pegged at ₹45 crore – ₹20.96 crore for salaries and other operating expenses, ₹12 crore each for the second and third year including school Opex.

The cost per student is estimated at ₹5.74 lakh for the first year and ₹3.29 lakh for the next two years. The Government said an estimated revenue of ₹5.47 crore would be generated through fee across three years assuming an average course fee of ₹50,000 for 365 seats for three years. The total remaining funding requirement of ₹224.5 crore would be sourced from private and State funding.

The State aimed to create a thriving sports culture that went beyond athletic performance. It would drive innovation, support sports-related industries and promote fitness and health among wider population. “YIPE&SU is integral to building a complete ecosystem where sports can flourish both professionally and economically,” as stated in the Bill.

The university would offer world class facilities and academic programmes that would not only support high performance athletes but would cultivate sports professionals across a range of fields. It would contribute to broader commercialisation of sports making it a viable career for more young people.