Sports Minister to bat for Unmukt at Delhi University

India's Sports Minister Ajay Maken Thursday said he would take up U-19 World Cup winning captain Unmukt Chand's case with the Delhi University.

Maken said it was unfair that Unmukt, a St.Stephens' BA student, was not allowed to take his second semester exams by the college authorities due to low attendance.

"I think it is totally unfair. The very fact that a player is getting an admission in the sports quota means that he should get all the support. After all, the player is doing the country proud. I will take up the issue with the Delhi University," said Maken. India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also came out in support of the Chand.

"Marks for sports takes backseat, attendance for now takes centrestage. This shows how much importance sports has in India. Sad to hear," Dhoni said on social networking site Twitter.

St.Stephen's College has barred Chand from taking the second semester exams because of low attendance. According to Delhi University rules, a student must have at least 33.3 per cent attendance in an academic session after all exemptions.

"I spoke to my sports teacher and the principal and they are willing to help me out in the next semester," Unmukt said.

Unmukt had earlier approached the Delhi High Court to sit for his exams. But since he was late in approaching the court, he could appear in only two exams out of four.

According to university rules, a student should pass 50 percent of all exams in both semesters combined to move on to the next year of the course. The next hearing is slated for Sep 16. Unmukt's results have been withheld on the court's direction.