Patna: Patliputra University has prepared a sports calendar that it is going to introduce from the new academic session. The university has prepared the sports calendar as part of giving equal importance to extra-curricular activities along with academic activities.

Chief minister Nitish Kumar will on July 28 inaugurate Patliputra University (PPU) at a function to be held at Bapu Sabhaghar of Samrat Ashoka Convention hall. As per the PPU sports calendar, the university will hold different sports activities round the year at different colleges.

Starting with sports activities, the basketball matches will be played at AN College on September 16. On the same day, volleyball matches will be played at ANS College Barh, badminton matches at BS College Danapur and chess matches at College of Commerce, Arts and Science.

"The University has decided to give equal importance to both academic and extra-curricular activities," Patliputra University pro vice-chancellor G.C. Choudhary said. The university has asked a senior, KK Singh from College of Commerce Arts and Science, to prepare the sports calendar and it is almost ready."

Students have welcomed the varsity administration's decision to have a sports calendar. Vijay Kumar, a student from AN College, said: "The university decision to have a sports calendar is a welcome step. In our colleges, there are courts and grounds for different games, but the college hardly ever organises any match or tournament. But with university sports calendar, colleges will organise tournaments at regular intervals."

The sports calendar has been prepared in such a way that all colleges falling under PPU get an opportunity to hold at least one event. As PPU has prepared the sports calendar, different colleges will be asked to constitute college teams in different sports category. The colleges will be asked to constitute separate teams for boys and girls. Similarly, from September 18 to 20, College of Commerce Arts and Science will organise wrestling competitions. Arvind Mahila College will organise volleyball (women) matches from September 18 to 20.

According to university sources as the university has prepared the sports calendar for the first time, in the initial phases most the teams participating in the tournaments will be college teams.

Chief minister Nitish will inaugurate the university on July 28. The same day, he will also launch the logo, anthem and website of the newly carved-out university at Bapu Sabhaghar in the Samrat Ashok Convention hall. The university comprises colleges from Patna and Nalanda districts that were earlier under Magadh University.