<p class="bodytext">Former India cricketer and batting coach of Mumbai Indians Robin Singh visited Manipal Academy of Higher Education to explore the possibility of starting a sports academy in the University, not only for cricket but other games as well.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Impressed with the facilities available at the University, the all-rounder was keen to emulate the Chennai academy here.</p>.<p class="bodytext">University officials, pro chancellor Dr H S Ballal, vice chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat and registrar Dr Narayan Sabhahit, sports secretary Dr Vinod Nayak, along with other officials of the University and the Udupi District Cricket Association president Dr Krishna Prasad, discussed various aspects of running an academy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Ballal said that talented students of Academy of General Education and Dr TMA Pai Foundation could be considered if an academy for sports were to start along with the students of MAHE. Robin expressed a concern that most parents in the country have – combining education and sports. “It is very difficult to combine the two and it is also hard to impress upon the parents to send their children out for sports. Everyone talks about fitness and lifestyle but no one really comes out to encourage sports.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">To that Dr Bhat said, “Unlike in the US, for example, where sports is encouraged and is a part of the education system, India does not have anything of the sort. As a result, what happens is that hundreds of sportsmen find themselves nowhere if they are not selected to play”.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking about the facilities in the University, Robin said that it was ideally suited for an academy. “And with an international reputation, the academy can do extremely well,” he said. “I would like to give it a try,” he added. Dr Ballal assured him that the University would extend all help in taking it forward.</p>
<p class="bodytext">Former India cricketer and batting coach of Mumbai Indians Robin Singh visited Manipal Academy of Higher Education to explore the possibility of starting a sports academy in the University, not only for cricket but other games as well.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Impressed with the facilities available at the University, the all-rounder was keen to emulate the Chennai academy here.</p>.<p class="bodytext">University officials, pro chancellor Dr H S Ballal, vice chancellor Dr H Vinod Bhat and registrar Dr Narayan Sabhahit, sports secretary Dr Vinod Nayak, along with other officials of the University and the Udupi District Cricket Association president Dr Krishna Prasad, discussed various aspects of running an academy.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Dr Ballal said that talented students of Academy of General Education and Dr TMA Pai Foundation could be considered if an academy for sports were to start along with the students of MAHE. Robin expressed a concern that most parents in the country have – combining education and sports. “It is very difficult to combine the two and it is also hard to impress upon the parents to send their children out for sports. Everyone talks about fitness and lifestyle but no one really comes out to encourage sports.”</p>.<p class="bodytext">To that Dr Bhat said, “Unlike in the US, for example, where sports is encouraged and is a part of the education system, India does not have anything of the sort. As a result, what happens is that hundreds of sportsmen find themselves nowhere if they are not selected to play”.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Speaking about the facilities in the University, Robin said that it was ideally suited for an academy. “And with an international reputation, the academy can do extremely well,” he said. “I would like to give it a try,” he added. Dr Ballal assured him that the University would extend all help in taking it forward.</p>
