Australia minister Andrew Robb signs MoU for skill development in sports

NEW DELHI: Australian Minister for Trade & Investment Andrew Robb today signed a MoU with Sport Education Development Australia ( SEDA) and IL&FS Education & Technology Services Limited with an aim to develop skills of Indian students in various sports and fitness programmes.

The partnership between SEDA, which is based in Victoria, and the Indian body of equivalent stature, is expected to encourage the development of sports and fitness vocational courses in India.

"The signing of a new agreement open doors for Australia and India to collaborate further in skill development, particularly sports," said the minister.

Robb also informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about Australia being a great sporting nation and urged him to lend some of their expertise to India in various sports and fitness courses.

"I hope this Memorandum of Understanding can use Australian expertise to extend help to young people in India to get better training in various sports and management skills, and make careers out of it," said Robb.

General Manager SEDA India, Rekha Dey said to address India's growth in sports, there is a need for specialised training in every field like gym management, sports event management, sports media, and Australian professionals could provide these requirements.

"This partnership will be a powerful example of how Australian expertise in sports training and management could play a big role in the booming Indian sports market.

"India is experiencing exponential growth in sport, and there is an increasing need for professionals in fitness training, gym management, sports event management, sports media to name a few.

"SEDA's experience in vocational education programs will help provide Indian students with the specialist skills and hands on experience they need to gain employment in the sports industry and would provide crucial expertise to those who wanted to enter the sector," she explained.

The partnership aims to impart training to youngsters in 350 centres across India in 25-26 states.

Meanwhile, the minister also participated in a brief sporting clinic with about 30-40 children, playing hockey and Australia's national game Australian Football League (AFL).