AMRITSAR: Expressing his serious concern over the degradation of sports, Professor Dr. Jai Rup Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University said that it is a national shame that being the second largest populated country of the world has to face humiliation in the sports arena at the global level.

He said it is very easy to purchase a gold medal but it is very difficult to win.

Commitment, determination, dedication and hard work are necessary for our sports personnel to achieve the desired goals.

Dr. Jai Rup Singh made these remarks while inaugurating a three-day National Symposium on “Talent Hunt in Sports- Methods and Strategies” being organized by the Department of Physical Education (Allied Teaching) of the Guru Nanak Dev University here today at the Conference Hall.

Prof. P. Chinnappa Reddy, former Technical Advisor to Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad delivered the key note address. Prof. Raghbir Singh, Dean Academic Affairs and Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, Director Sports also expressed their views.

Dr. Jai Rup Singh said it is a matter of great concern for all of us that India is a country with huge population but has miserably failed to get medals at the international competitions.

On the other hand, the countries with less population adopting latest sports techniques have succeeded to bring laurels to their nations. He said we have plenty of talent but the dire need is to hunt the talent and groom them imparting right training.
     
The Vice-Chancellor said Guru Nanak Dev University is committed for the development of Sports in this region. He said this University has introduced a unique Catch ‘em Young Programme to tap the talent at the grass root level.

He said that more than 400 school children from Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, Machiwara, Ropar, Tarn Taran are participating in the ten-day training camp.