Archive · 17 Nov 2025
CPI(M) MP Urges Kick-boxing Reinstatement in University Sports
A politician, John Brittas, wrote to the sports minister because a group called AIU removed kick-boxing from university sports.
He thinks this is unfair because kick-boxing is becoming more popular and removing it hurts students who want to compete, get scholarships, or plan their future in the sport.
The AIU said they removed it to make the sports schedule simpler and focus on sports that more students play and that are important nationally and internationally.
The politician is asking the minister to look into this decision and put kick-boxing back on the list of university sports.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas urged Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to reinstate kick-boxing in university sports calendar.
AIU Sports Board excluded kick-boxing citing minimal student participation, streamlining the calendar to focus on popular sports.
Brittas argued kick-boxing's growing popularity and impact on athletes' future prospects, urging its reinstatement.
AIU Board removed 16 sports, including kick-boxing, to simplify the calendar and prioritize widely-played sports.
Brittas requested the minister to review the decision and restore kick-boxing in the AIU annual sports calendar.
- Who
- CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas
- What
- Requested Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to reinstate kick-boxing in university sports calendar
- When
- AIU Sports Board's decision was made at the 34th AGM on August 26; Brittas' letter was written recently
- Where
- New Delhi
- Why
- To address hardship faced by athletes and recognize the sport's growing popularity
CPI(M) MP's Stance
AIU Sports Board's Rationale
Importance of Kick-boxing
CPI(M) MP's Stance
Kick-boxing is a rapidly expanding combat sport with substantial participation at multiple levels, and its exclusion creates hardship for athletes aiming for inter-university championships, scholarships, and future prospects.
AIU Sports Board's Rationale
The exclusion is part of streamlining the Sports Calendar to focus on disciplines with wider student participation and national/international relevance.
Student Participation Data
CPI(M) MP's Stance
The decision disregards the sport's growth and its national and international standing, impacting athletes whose preparations are affected.
AIU Sports Board's Rationale
Kick-boxing was excluded citing 'minimal student participation'.
- Member of Parliament
- John Brittas (CPI(M))
- Recipient of Letter
- Mansukh Mandaviya (Sports Minister)
- Organization involved
- Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Sports Board
- Event
- 34th AGM of AIU Sports Board
- Date of AGM
- August 26
- Decision Made
- Kick-boxing excluded from 2025-26 University Sports Calendar
- Other sports excluded
- 15 sports, including dragon boat racing, soft baseball, mini golf