IndiGlobal Bureau
“I meet a lot of successful people. Some say that they cannot handle failure, others say it is difficult to handle success and a number of others say that they lack discipline else they would achieve much more. In sport, one learns to handle failure and success in ample measure. One race you win, one you fail. As far as pressure is concerned, one is always training, keeping in mind the opponents and goals one has set for oneself. So you learn how to deal with pressure. On the discipline front, one has to be disciplined in intake of food and managing time between sports-academics and entertainment. Sports teaches you life-skills,” said Maxwell Trevor, Former national cyclist and coach. He was speaking at the recently concluded 2nd IndiGlobal Education Festival that concluded recently in Hyderabad.
Setting the tone for the panel discussion ‘Sports & Games in school and college education’ Maxwell Trevor, 11-time consecutive national champion added that schools should give equal importance to sports.
Sports as a career
There is a myth that after active playing years, a sportsperson does not have to do much said Aarti Nalge, Video Analyst, BCCI. “I was a cricketer and after doing a course got a job as a video analyst. Likewise, there are several jobs such as a sports psychologist, physiotherapist, sports photographer, sports reporter.” Concurring with her view, Roja Paul, Principal, Meridian School, said, “I too was a sportswoman and whatever I am today is due to the discipline and values instilled by sports.”
Sports infrastructure, need of the hour
The development of sports infrastructure is inevitable, if India has to do well, opined the panelists. Victor Amal Raj, former Indian football player said that sports infrastructure in football has been developed reasonably well in West Bengal as every club has a football ground but a lot is to be desired across the nation. Vishal Kurma, CEO, Woxsen University drew the attention of how things can turn around and explained the Odisha model where each state could adopt a sport. Mr Vishal also shared that at Woxsen, international standard sports facilities for badminton, cricket, basketball and other sports have been developed. Ramlaxmaiah, Sports officer, TSWREIS informed the steps taken by the society in developing sports. He added, “28 sports academies were established and the students bagged 457 medals at the national level, 13 at international level and 901 gold medals at the state level.”
Col. Praveen, In-charge, Training and Administration, National Cadet Corps, Secunderabad who moderated the session said that the principals have a major role to play as they can integrate sports in the curriculum.
