SDMC proposes sports training for kids

New Delhi: In an attempt to nurture future Olympians and sportspersons, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) has decided to appoint coaches in select sports in consultation with the Sports Authority of India (SAI). 

Leader of the House in SDMC Shikha Rai on Tuesday said that the education department of the corporation has decided to prepare students of different civic schools to provide extensive training to interested students according to the sport curriculum approved by the SAI.

According to Ms Rai, the coaches will be engaged on  a contract basis at the earliest so as to impart training to the students under professional trainers. 

The education department has also decided to provide the necessary sports infrastructure for competitive training, she added. 

The appointed coaches  will be directed to inform the trainees about the minor inputs required to attain expertise, she said.

“Children in the age group of nine to 11 years will be trained under any one of the sports disciplines they choose. The younger generation favours sports such as hockey, cricket, football and table tennis. The corporation will ensure that there will be no dearth of funds for this purpose,” said Ms Rai.

The corporation is also keen to appoint yoga trainers in the schools as the existing physical education teams (PETs) have been concentrating on traditional physical exercises only, she said 

“Keeping in view the relevance and importance of yoga at international level, it has become imperative to provide yoga training to students. The department will also appoint yoga teachers on a contract basis,” Ms Rai added. 

The corporation’s Leader of the House also suggested appointment of women as Class 4 employees so that proper care could be taken of the school students. 

“This suggestion has been well taken by the education department. The department will soon take a positive decision in this regard,” Ms Rai said.