Ranchi, May 20: Deputy chief minister Sudesh Mahto has his eyes set on setting up a centre of excellence comprising academies at the mega sports complex in Ranchi after failing having failed to make a breakthrough in an earlier attempt at establishing a university dedicated to games.

Mahto, who heads the sports department, told industry representatives in Ranchi last week that his government intended to run a centre on public-private partnership to groom sports talent by utilising the existing world-class facilities at the Hotwar complex.

According to the proposal, the government would build sports academies, where children up to 14 years of age would be enrolled and trained by qualified instructors for five years.

The state sports department has thought of academies for athletics, football, hockey, taekwondo, badminton, shooting, lawn tennis, swimming, gymnastics, cycling, volleyball and wrestling.

Over 225 boys and 210 girls would be trained at these academies. The department plans to employ 34 instructors.

The government has also proposed that 50 per cent of the seats at each academy be filled on the recommendations of the private partner. The government and private partners will jointly select trainees for the remaining seats, of which, 40 per cent would be reserved for sons of the soil.

The government will also undertake the responsibility of admitting the trainees to schools and colleges while they are undergoing training at the academies. Besides, they will get hostel accommodation and be eligible to apply for government jobs that have 2 per cent reservation for athletes.

The sports department had invited expression of interest from private partners about a fortnight back.

Tata Steel’s senior executive Sanjeev Paul, however, pointed out at the meeting, at which executives of over 25 prominent industrial houses with stakes in Jharkhand took part, that the proposed five-year duration was too short for what was a long-term mega project.

He argued that private partners should be allowed to partner the government for at least 20-25 years.

Mahto responded that the tenure of private firms could be extended after reviewing the achievements at the end of the first five years.

“The centre for excellence will be run by the Jharkhand Sports Authority. Gradually, it may take the shape of a sports university. But for now, we are looking for more suggestions from private parties,” Mahto added.