Fitness program for undergrads

Dinesh de Alwis

The Higher Education Ministry will enhance physical and mental conditions of University students by getting them to participate in physical fitness programs, Higher Education Ministry Co-ordinating Secretary Sunil Gunawardene told the Daily News.

The physical training program will commence from next year.

This will help change the students' aggressive attitude. Violence might not exist after the fitness program, Gunawardene said.

He said the Ministry will establish 20 gymnasiums in universities.

The aim of this program is to have a healthy student community while promoting sports activities, Gunawardene said.

He said University lecturers can also participate in this program. "University Professors and academics are the most valuable people in the country. They are the people who create doctors, engineers, lawyers and managers. They are not concerned about their health. They can participate in exercises for 10 to 20 minutes daily," he said.

"Blood pressure, diabetics and heart attacks are spreading widely. Exercise is the best medicine to cure this. We have to protect both students and University academics. We are also planning to establish a Sports Squad and about 200 athletes will join," he said.