Patna, Sept. 13: The Greeks believed that sports was an important part of education but budding sportsmen of the state give Patna University (PU) and its constituent colleges a wide berth, as the varsity hardly has any facility for sports.

To revive sporting facilities at the university-level in the state, Bihar Players’ Association marched to Raj Bhavan today. The association’s president, Mritunjay Tiwari, led the march.

Tiwari told The Telegraph: “The University Grants Commission (UGC) has laid down guidelines to encourage sporting facilities for students. However, the university has failed to do so.”

He added that institutions like Patna College and Patna Science College have huge grounds. These are, however, in a pitiable state and not fit to host any sports meet.

On July 31, Tiwari had led sports enthusiasts and played football on the streets to protest against the shrinking space for sporting activities in the state capital.

Sources said most colleges and the university lack trainers, infrastructure or finances to sustain sporting activities. PU has not hosted any major inter-university sports meet for over a decade. Nor has any team from the university taken part in the annual All-India Inter-University Sports Meet.

The university has also not hosted any inter-college sports meet for the past four years.

Sources said PU had not taken part in any sports meet, as its sports board is defunct. The university administration has also not taken any step for the revival of sporting facilities for students.

The demonstrators today marched from the university to the governor’s residence, where they met additional secretary B.K. Sahni. They submitted a charter of demands to Sahni. Their demands include development of infrastructure at the college-level, maintenance of college grounds, revival of Eklavya sports meet and appointment of a sports director for PU.

Tiwari said: “At present, the dean of students’ welfare looks after sports at the university. Another senior teacher holds the additional charge. A person with a masters degree in physical education should be appointed as the sports director.”

The students of the university also complained of lack in sporting facilities.

Sunil Yadav, a student of Darbhanga House, claimed though many colleges have large grounds, no sports meet is held. Nor do colleges have any sports kits.

Sunil said: “Admission under the sports quota has always been marred by cases of gross irregularities. This year, too, the admission process was full of irregularities.”

According to the university regulations, two per cent of the seats are reserved under the sports quota. Sources said this year, no trials were held for the candidates.