Closure would be a setback for sport and teacher training.
Frankfurt am Main. The Hessian State Sports Federation (lsb h) is concerned about the threatened closure of the Institute of Sports Science at the Technical University of Darmstadt . This is due to the planned reduction in funding under the Hessian Higher Education Pact 2026–2031 . The State Sports Federation warns that closing the institute would have serious consequences for the sports landscape and teacher training in Hesse .
Danger to the training of sports teachers
The potential closure would significantly reduce the number of training positions for physical education teachers in Hesse. According to the Hessian Sports Association (lsb h), other universities in the state could not compensate for this loss. "Especially given the increasing demand for qualified physical education teachers, such a measure is unacceptable," the statement reads.
Katja Köhler-Nachtnebel , Vice President for Preschool, School, Higher Education, and Personnel Development at lsb h, emphasizes:
“Besides jeopardizing the quality of physical education teacher training, the closure of sports science in Darmstadt would also represent a massive intervention in the structure of organized sports in Hesse. The legal entitlement to all-day care requires academically trained teachers who, together with the clubs, meet the sports-related needs of schools.”
Research of nationwide importance
The Institute of Sports Science at TU Darmstadt is known for its interdisciplinary research projects – from “serious games” to promote healthy lifestyles to movement assistance systems . Many of these projects are closely linked to organized sports in Hesse.
One example is the eco-check of the Hessian State Sports Federation , which was awarded the German Sustainability Prize and originated from sports science in Darmstadt.
The lsb h warns that a closure would mean the "irretrievable loss of important research expertise".
Significance for club sports in southern Hesse
Amateur sports would also be affected, according to Ralf-Rainer Klatt , Vice President of Sports Development at lsb h:
“The approximately 7,300 predominantly volunteer-run sports clubs in Hesse, as well as the 60 state sports federations with over 2.2 million members, depend on academically trained staff. The loss of sports science in Darmstadt would leave a gap that would be particularly noticeable in southern Hesse.”
Appeal to state politicians
The Hessian State Sports Federation is calling on those responsible to review fairly and transparently social significance of sport .
"We urge all involved parties to commit to preserving the Institute of Sports Science in Darmstadt," the statement concludes. "Only in this way can we secure the training of sports science professionals in Hesse."
(DARMSTADT – RED/PM)
