The Lok Sabha on Friday passed a Bill establishing a National Sports University in Manipur as part of a vision to enhance country’s standing in sports. The National Sports University Bill, 2018, which sought to replace an Ordinance promulgated on May 31, was passed by a voice vote.

N.K. Premachandran of the RSP asked during the debate why an Ordinance was required on such routine legislation. He also said a university had to be autonomous in character, something which the provisions of the Bill did not suggest.

Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore said that the legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha in August 2017, but could not be passed. As the institution had already become functional and the budget session was a washout, the Ordinance route was used to safeguard the future of the students. He said the university would promote sports coaching and research at a cost of ₹524 crore.