Government of India launched the Khelo India program with an aim to revive the sports culture in the country at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports and establishing India as a great sporting nation. Universities and educational institutions play a vital role in nurturing young sporting talent as they provide platforms to rise and shine to those emerging from the grass root level. Advancing the spirit of Khelo India initiative, Banaras Hindu University is now realizing the idea of Khelo BHU by aggressively expanding and building the sporting culture and infrastructure on campus. 

EXCLUSIVE FUNDING FOR SPORTS: The University for the First Time has made separate and significant per student allocations for sporting activities. In simpler terms, for every hostel inmate in BHU, the university is sanctioning nearly 25% additional funding for sports. It is to be noted that Banaras Hindu University has already enhanced the per student allocation to nearly five times than it used to be about two years ago. The allocation for sports is in addition to the overall funding for the students. 

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain has time and again underlined the importance of physical activities and sports in the lives of students for their overall development. He has called upon faculty members and key functionaries of the university to make sure that all the students take part in sporting activities and don’t just remain confined to their classes, labs and hostel rooms. “The university is fully committed to ensure the most vibrant student life in the hostels and we are taking important steps in that regard. Increasing hostel budgets, for sports in particular, is one such step in that direction”, said Prof. Jain. 

EXPANDING SPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE: 

SPORTING EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES: The University is in the process of getting a new Badminton rubberized court. It already has one in use on the campus. Besides, students now have three more sporting courts for use. The new Handball court is ready and is being used, while Kho-Kho court is near completion. Work is underway to install a new Kabaddi court too. In addition, Sports Authority of India has provided a new boxing ring to Banaras Hindu University which will soon be commissioned.

GROUND RESTORATION: Over the past one and a half year the university has taken a number of measures to expand and upgrade the sporting infrastructure. The Covid19 lull for nearly two and a half years led to deterioration in the quality of playgrounds. As life returned to normal, the university promptly launched the maintenance work covering all the grounds which will soon be over. The main amphitheater ground has already been hosting mega events and tournaments for the past several months after it was given the much needed repair and restoration. Fencing work is also being undertaken to ensure proper safety and security across playgrounds.  

FLOOD LIGHTS: The University is in the process of installing flood lights in its playgrounds to ensure optimum utilization of the sporting facilities. Work is underway to erect such lights in almost all the playgrounds to enable students to use the grounds even in late hours after their classes and academic activities. 

PUSH TO ATHLETICS: At the initiative of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain all the institutes and the faculties are setting up their athletic associations. Some of the associations have already been set up and conducted competitions in various events. Prof. Jain has pledged full support in terms of funds and facilities in order to keep the associations active and functional. An open athletic meet in various categories has recently concluded. 

SPORTING EVENTS WITNESS PARTICIPATION OF THOUSANDS: The University Sports Board in the past four months organized over ten sporting tournaments/competitions in various categories covering a large gamut of sports. It also hosted Paralympic games and all women’s tournaments. Prof. S. V. S. Raju, Vice-President, University Sports Board, informed that nearly 5000 students, including a large number of girls, participated in these tournaments which saw hundreds of competitions in various categories. He informed that besides modern games, traditional sports of India as well as other recreational games and activities are also being promoted and planned. “The university plans to reach out to all the students when it comes to sports participation. We are also involving other stakeholders in these sporting activities be it teachers or non-academic staff”, added Prof. Raju.  

Prof. B. C. Kapri, General Secretary, University Sports Board said that various sporting units in the university have been requested to prepare a sports calendar for which all the support will be provided. “By promoting the sporting culture on campus, we will be able to identify our strengths and the shining talents, which will also help in enhancing the glory of Banaras Hindu University at national and international level”, said Prof. Kapri. 

Founded by Bharat Ratna Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya Ji, Banaras Hindu University was conceptualized with the idea of holistic development of students. Mahamana always encouraged students for being physically active and taking part in sports. University’s push for sports is in the spirit of Mahamana’s ideas and vision.