The three-day common fitness trials for students applying to Delhi University under the sports quota concluded on Saturday.
Over 3000 students took the trials this year for admission under the sports quota. Those who qualify in these trials will then undergo sports trial at individual colleges they have applied to. The result of the fitness trials will be uploaded on Delhi University website and a hardcopy of the results will be acceptable for participation at all colleges.
Five per cent or about 2,700 seats from a total of 54,000 seats at the varsity have been reserved for admission under sports and ECA categories.
Starting from this academic session, the University’s Sports Council decided to introduce the system of conducting common fitness trials for every candidate applying under the sports quota.
Following the chaotic crowd which bustled and shoved throughout on Day One, matters on the final day remained relatively smooth as the crowd dwindled. Police and traffic officials guarded the road facing University Polo Ground and entry was reserved only for students undergoing the trials.
Students who have achieved and specialise in archery, shooting or chess had to qualify in one level of tests, while those belonging to other sports had to do so for two separate tests.
The fitness tests comprised a 50-metre sprint to be completed in eight seconds for speed, standing broad jump for strength and a 1,000 metre walk/run for endurance. “All the tests are pretty much doable. It is not especially difficult to complete the endurance run because the authorities are lenient. However, I had to reach early. The candidates who arrived late had to stand in the crowd for a couple of hours or so,” said Shiva, one of the students who passed the tests.
On the other side of the wall, tension and commotion mounted as parents and guardians queued expectantly and the police strengthened its cordoning. Some parents could even be seen engaged in heated exchanges with the police and authorities.
“My son is a national-level sprinter and is currently undergoing the tests. Judging by the huge rush, it may take more than two hours till he gets back,” said Haryana-based Jagpal Singh.
“Day One was completely bustling. The students and parents forced open the gate and there was no discipline whatsoever. Today [on Saturday], it is a lot more coordinated. However, the system of centralised fitness trials seems futile because students will still have to go over their sports-specific trials in colleges as well,” added the anxious parent.
