Sports are an essential part of a child’s development, helping them to develop physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. Unfortunately, in India, many children, particularly those living in rural and semi-urban areas, do not have access to good sports facilities. This lack of facilities negatively impacts children’s physical fitness and development and also affects their chances of making a career out of sports.
Sports in rural and semi-urban cities in India
One of the most significant issues facing children in rural and semi-urban areas is access to good sports facilities. Many of these areas need adequate playgrounds or sports fields, and the ones that do exist are often poorly maintained and unsuitable for sports. This lack of facilities means that children in these areas cannot engage in regular physical activity and are at a disadvantage when developing their physical fitness and sports skills.
In addition to the lack of facilities, many children in rural and semi-urban areas also need access to good coaching. Many of these areas need trained sports coaches, and the ones that do exist are often unable to provide the same level of coaching as those in urban areas. This lack of coaching means that children in these areas can develop their sports skills to a different level than those in urban areas.
Impact of facilities on upcoming sportsmen
The need for better sports facilities and coaching in rural and semi-urban areas also affects the chances of children making a career out of sports. Children in these areas need to improve when competing with urban athletes, who can access better facilities and coaching. This makes it difficult for children in these areas to be spotted by talent scouts and to be selected for teams and competitions.
According to a study conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) in 2012, it was found that only 3% of rural households have access to playgrounds and sports fields, compared to 13% of urban households. This highlights the significant disparity in access to sports facilities between rural and urban areas in India.
Another study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in 2019 found that only 2% of schools in India have sports facilities that meet international standards. This highlights the lack of investment in sports facilities and the need for more government and private sector investment in this area.
The lack of good sports facilities in India, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, is a significant issue that negatively impacts children’s physical fitness and development. It also affects their chances of making a career out of sports, and the competition between urban athletes and those from rural and semi-urban areas seems unfair. To address this pressing issue, there needs to be a more significant investment in sports facilities and coaching to ensure that all children have the same opportunities to develop their physical fitness and sports skills.
Sports at Podar School
The school has state-of-the-art facilities and grounds/ courts for sports such as football, cricket, basketball, tennis, squash, martial arts, tennis and swimming. The school has a team of specialist coaches to provide students with the best training. They are dedicated to helping students improve their skills and reach their full potential. The coaches are experienced and have a great deal of knowledge about the sports they teach.
Podar school in Seoni also allows students to participate in local and national-level competitions. The school has a strong track record of producing successful athletes who have gone on to represent their state and country in various sports.
Vardhman Podar Learn School in Seoni offers the best infrastructure and coaching for sports in the region. It allows students to improve their physical fitness and skills and to pursue a career in sports if they so choose.