The University of Delhi has decided to remove 12 games or activities, such as yoga, cycling, power-lifting, and 100-meter relay race, from its list of recognized categories that candidates can choose from while seeking admission in colleges under the sports quota.
According to an officer related to the removal of sports, the direction of change in sports quota has been sent by the Sports Ministry to the University. This move is not appreciated and was criticized by DU’s physical education teachers’ association. As per the association, this decision is going to affect students who take admissions under the sports and extracurricular activities (ECA) quota in the university’s 77 colleges.
The Association even wrote to the admission commission urging it to bring the options back on the university’s list of recognized activities. In the letter, the Association has said that “We would like to bring to your notice that several under mentioned games/events are missing from the list that has been sent to us, which were present last year”.
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The 12 games which are going to be removed from the archery (Indian round), ball badminton, baseball (women), softball (men), korfball (male), 4x100m relay race, cross-country running, cycling, fencing, power-lifting, best physique, and yoga. From now on, in the sports quota, the games which can be played are the games which are played in the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.
For admission in UG courses, colleges across Delhi University reserve 5% seats for students who qualify under the sports and ECA categories. Such candidates have to appear in trials for the sport or activity they apply under. As per the statement made by the physical education teachers’ association, last year, the University admitted around 25 students under the ball badminton quota, 15 in baseball, 25 in softball, 20 in yoga, five each in korfball (male), 4×100 relay, cross-country running, cycling, fencing, power lifting and best physique.
The Association is not only furious because of the removal of the games but also because they were not consulted before making such a big decision. Rajesh Jha, a member of the university’s executive council said that “Though there may only be a few admissions under these games, however, they have their own significance. The decision to drop any game should have been taken after consulting the member of academic and executive councils”.
Now, after the constant protest by the teachers of physical education and students, this matter has been brought under the court. No modification can be made in this decision until the court’s decision is announced.
