Cuttack, Dec 23: Union Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is currently on a three-day Odisha visit, said Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technology will change sportspersons' skills.  Blended with athletics, the AI will help enhance the quality of sports, he said. 

Pradhan stated this while gracing as chief guest at the Sri Sri University's sports event, "Holistic Approach Towards Performance and Safety in Sports 2023. 

Attending the event being organized with the support of the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Pradhan said AI would be very helpful in enhancing sportsmen's skill power. The AI can analyse and enhance the quality of sports in a much better way, he said. 

He said sports has a special place in our civilization as it is part of our life. Sports are never medals but linked to spirituality. It helps keep us fit and healthy. 

The National Education Policy which came up with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given importance  on sports, creativity, and physical training, he said. 

Pradhan said there is a plan to select students in sports quota for admissions in IITs through JEE Main and JEE Advanced exams in the coming days. He said more than 15 million children appear in JEE tests and  2. 5 lakh children take the JEE Advanced exam every year. An average of 1,000 of them get the chance to enroll in IITs. In the coming days, some students will be chosen for admission to IITs in sports quota, he reiterated. 

Odisha is home to many sports. Odisha has a special name in athletics, hockey and women's football. In 2036 Olympics, India's players are expected to gain more glory, so preparations should be started now. The seminar organized today will help in that direction, he said. 

On this occasion, Pradhan called to become an employer rather than a job seeker. The Union Minister gave suggestions to improve competence through reading and games.

The Union Minister congratulated Sri Sri University and Physical Education Foundation of India (PEFI) for organizing this seminar. He also thanked the organizers including the International Association of Physical Education and Sports (IAPES).

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