Central University of Jammu would be the first University in Northern India to conduct a collaborative Project on “Leadership through Sports Program for Jammu and Kashmir” between Central University of Jammu, Jammu and Ball State University, USA. The aforesaid project shall be undertaken by Project Coordinators Dr. Jaya Bhasin and Shahid Mushtaq from Central University of Jammu and Dr. Lindsey Blom, Dr. Lawrence Gerstein, Dr. Lawrence Judge, and Prof. Sushil Sharma from Ball State University. In this regard, Project Coordinators have received official communication for selection of 20 local youth coaches, sport teachers, and sport administrators from Jammu and Kashmir under the proposed project. In this program trainers from USA will share best practices on how to build sports and leadership programs in underserved communities. Five American sports mentors/coaches (three female and two male) will be coming to New Delhi to implement this program. This project will focus on building capacity in sports and leadership program development. Upon completion of the week-long workshop, the Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana will organize and oversee a six-month virtual mentoring program between the American sports mentors/coaches and the participants.
The entire funding would be borne by the Ball State University, Indiana, USA under US Mission India Public Diplomacy Grants Program, US State Department It is pertinent to mention here that Ball State University has been promoting leadership through sports program across 26 countries but it would be first time that this university is offering the program for sports professionals in our country. In this program all the three regions, Ladakh, Kashmir valley and Jammu would be covered on the basis of nomination for 10 male and 10 female coaches/sports administrators/sports teachers. Prof. Ashok Aima during the briefing also appreciated the efforts of his team of officers especially, Prof. Deepak Pathania, Chairman and Sh. Ranjeet Kalra, Co-chairman of Central University Jammu Sports Advisory Committee and Vice Chairman Sports Council Jammu and its members for bagging this leadership programme. Sh. S.P. Singh Sports Administrator, JK Sports Council was also present on the occasion. Prof. Aima informed that first phase of the training/workshop would be held in Delhi from 21st – 27th October, 2018.
In 2nd phase, they will undergo online virtual mentoring cum training and thereafter advance training shall be imparted.