Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari appointed first VC of Delhi Sports University

Olympic medalist Karnam Malleswari appointed first VC of Delhi Sports University

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy CM Manish Sisodia with Karnam Malleswari, the first Vice Chancellor of Delhi Sports University

India’s first woman Olympic medalist, Karnam Malleswari has been appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi Sports University. The objective of the University is to set up systems for talent scouting at the grassroot level and develop an efficient sports organisation, elaborating on the need to have world-class sports infrastructure.

Retired weight lifter Malleshwari had won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She has also been bestowed with the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award and Padma Shri. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to break the news as he inches closer to launching the first of its kind University in the country.

“Our dream of launching Delhi Sports University is coming true. It gives me great pride that Olympic medallist Karnam Malleshwari will be the first Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Sports University. We discussed the vision of Delhi Sports University today,” tweeted Kejriwal.

FS Video

“We will identify students and match their athletic skills to the sports,” Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari
Karnam Malleswari

Karnam Malleswari shares that she aims to seek out young talent from schools. Malleshwari stresses that while India has an abundance of talent, most fail to realise their potential due to a lack of infrastructure. The university will offer graduation, postgraduate and doctorate degrees in cricket, football, and hockey, among other sports.

“We should start visiting schools once they reopen and conduct a talent hunt for students interested in sports. There are many children who take a keen interest in sports, but due to lack of any infrastructure, they are unable to pursue their athletic dream. We will identify students and match their athletic skills to the sports they are apt for.“

“We can use our existing infrastructure and coaches to begin sifting through our students to identify their athletic acumen. We will use the approach of going to schools, to children and players who are keen to strengthen their athletic acumen,” she added.

Also Read | Sports University in Delhi : A start of new sporting India