The Hindu : Sport : SRM scholarships presented

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SRM scholarships presented

Sports Reporter

— Photo: A. Muralitharan

WORTHY CANDIDATES: The school students, who received the scholarships under a scheme of SRM University, Kattankulathur, with the Chancellor, T.R. Pachamuthu (extreme left), Special Officer, Suburban Commissionerate, S.R.Jangid and Vice-Chancellor, P. Sathyanarayanan.

Chennai: The School Sports Scholarship Awards, instituted by the SRM University, was presented to 46 students and 18 physical education teachers and Physical Directors, at the SRM University, on Saturday.

The awards were presented by Olympian and former Indian hockey captain V. Baskaran, in the presence of chief guest S.R. Jangid, Inspector General of Police and Special Officer, Suburban Commissionerate, Chancellor T.R. Pachamuthu, Vice-Chancellor P. Sathyanarayanan and R. Venkatramani Director (Sports).

A scholarship amount of Rs. 5000 per year will be provided to the students till they pass out of school. “We are looking to bring in more needy school students under this program. They can be from any school and any village from Tamil Nadu. Based on certain individual cases, we will also be willing to take care of education and other expenses,” said Chancellor Pachamuthu, also adding that thereafter, the University would be willing to take in outstanding sportspersons, even if they were unable to afford the fee.

A committee of 10 experts comprising sports activists from SAI, SDAT and retired Physical Directors identified various schools in different districts across Tamil Nadu, with the help of 30 liaison officers, to select the deserving students.

Besides the scholarships, an international-standard indoor stadium and sports hostels are some other projects which are part of the SSS Scheme.

Vice-Chancellor Sathyanarayanan, while speaking on the initiatives taken by the University for sports urged the students to “balance sports and studies and not forsake one for the other.” Chief Guest Jangid praised the Chancellor’s efforts in recognising the need to promote and nurture sportspersons from the state, and was confident of their success.

Lack of infrastructure

Guest of Honour Baskaran spoke strongly on the lack of infrastructure in the country, and was hopeful that such initiatives would help in producing international medal prospects in the future. “The students who have been selected should aim high. They should not be content with national medals, but should work hard and seek international success. We have a long way to go for an Olympic medal and need the infrastructure for it, but one can still achieve wonders. Nothing is impossible, and balancing studies and sports is something they can all achieve,” he said.

Having made the offer himself, Baskaran will be part of the University’s sports set-up, and has promised an Asian medal from the University in 10 years.

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