**Executive Summary**
On May 25, 2026, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, conducted a progress review of the National Sports University (NSU) permanent campus and the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Imphal. The visit aimed to inspect the nearly complete infrastructure projects and evaluate the sports ecosystem supporting elite athletes. Key findings indicate that the NSU permanent campus is 95% complete, marking a significant milestone in India’s sports education framework.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure Development at NSU Campus**
* The permanent campus at Koutruk, Imphal West, spans approximately 325 acres.
* Construction is nearing completion, with approximately 95% of the work finalized.
* Key facilities include an administrative block, academic complexes with smart classrooms and laboratories, a library, and an auditorium.
* Residential hostels are being established to accommodate nearly 1,300 students and approximately 60 faculty members.
* Specialized sports science facilities are being integrated to support research and athlete development.
**Integration of Sports and Education**
* The NSU is designed as an integrated ecosystem covering sports education, coaching, sports technology, and research.
* The institution aims to develop globally competitive sports professionals through a science-driven approach.
* The Minister emphasized the university's role as a landmark institution for shaping the future of Indian sports through innovation and excellence.
**Athlete Support and Field Reviews**
* Reviews at the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) focused on support systems including physiotherapy, recovery, nutrition, and sports medicine.
* The Minister participated in morning fitness and conditioning sessions to observe training discipline firsthand.
* Evaluation of facilities for strength and conditioning, physiology, and sport-specific practice sessions was conducted to ensure high-performance standards for elite and emerging talent.
**Impact Analysis**
**Athletes and Students**
**Impact**
Athletes and students will benefit from a world-class, dedicated environment for sports education and scientific training. The transition to the 325-acre campus provides them with advanced laboratories, smart classrooms, and high-quality residential facilities.
**Action Required**
Athletes are encouraged to utilize these advanced resources to strive for excellence and represent the country on international platforms.
**National Sports University (NSU) Administration**
**Impact**
The university administration is overseeing the final stages of a transformational infrastructure project that will house over 1,300 residents.
**Action Required**
Officials must oversee the completion of the remaining 5% of construction and manage the operationalization of the new academic and residential blocks.
**Sports Authority of India (SAI)**
**Impact**
The regional SAI NCOE is recognized as a critical hub for specialized support systems, including sports medicine and nutrition, specifically for talent in the North-East region.
**Action Required**
SAI officials must continue to maintain and upgrade support systems related to recovery, physiology, and strength training to sustain a high-performance ecosystem.
Key Entities Referenced
National Sports University (NSU): India's first dedicated sports university, currently developing a 325-acre permanent campus to support sports education, sciences, and research.
Raksha Khadse: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports who reviewed the progress of sports infrastructure and interacted with athletes in Manipur.
SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE): A facility in Imphal providing athlete support systems, sports medicine, and training for elite athletes and emerging talent from the North-East.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The primary central ministry overseeing the development of India's sports ecosystem and the National Sports University.
Imphal, Manipur: The central location for the National Sports University's permanent campus (at Koutruk) and the regional sports ecosystem review.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Raksha Khadse Reviews Progress of National
Sports University Campus and Interacts with
Athletes in Imphal
Minister joins athletes during morning fitness session and
reviews development of India’s first dedicated sports
university
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 5:34PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, today visited the National
Sports University (NSU), Imphal, where she reviewed the progress of the university’s permanent campus
and interacted with athletes, students, coaches, and officials associated with India’s premier sports
education institution. She also visited the Sports Authority of India (SAI) National Centre of Excellence
(NCOE), Imphal, as part of her review of the sports ecosystem in the region.
During the visit, the Minister was accompanied by Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, Vice-Chancellor,
National Sports University; Shri N. Praveen Singh, Secretary, Sports, Government of Manipur; Shri C.
Dhandapani, Regional Director, SAI; along with senior officials of the National Sports University and the
Sports Authority of India.
Early in the morning, Smt. Khadse joined athletes during their daily training sessions and participated in
fitness and conditioning activities alongside them. She interacted closely with athletes and coaches while
observing warm-up drills, endurance training, stretching exercises, mobility routines, and sport-specificpractice sessions. Appreciating the dedication and discipline displayed by the athletes, the Minister
encouraged them to continue striving for excellence and make the country proud on international
platforms.
At the National Sports University’s permanent campus at Koutruk in Imphal West, Smt. Khadse undertook
a detailed review of the ongoing construction and infrastructure development works. Spread across nearly
325 acres, the campus is nearing completion, with approximately 95 per cent of the work already
completed. The Minister reviewed major facilities being developed within the campus, including the
administrative block, academic complexes equipped with smart classrooms and laboratories, library,
auditorium, sports science facilities, and residential hostels designed to accommodate nearly 1,300
students and around 60 faculty members.
The Minister also reviewed the integrated academic and sports ecosystem being developed at NSU to
support sports education, sports sciences, coaching, sports technology, athlete development, and research.
She noted that the university represents a transformational step towards strengthening India’s institutional
sports framework and developing globally competitive sports professionals and athletes.
Speaking during the visit, Smt. Khadse said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi ji, India is witnessing unprecedented investment in sports infrastructure, athlete
development, and sports education. She emphasized that the National Sports University will emerge as a
landmark institution in shaping the future of Indian sports and building a strong ecosystem driven by
science, research, innovation, and excellence.
The Minister later visited the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Imphal, where she reviewed
athlete support systems and sports science facilities available for elite athletes and emerging talent from
the North-East region. She interacted with athletes, coaches, and support staff while reviewing facilities
related to physiotherapy, recovery, nutrition, sports medicine, physiology, and strength & conditioning.
The visit reflected the Government of India’s continued commitment towards strengthening sports
education, scientific athlete training, and high-performance ecosystems as India moves towards becoming
a global sporting powerhouse.
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Ayushman Kumar(Release ID: 2265015) Visitor Counter : 437
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