The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Humpy's appeal to the State Government

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Friday, Dec 29, 2006
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Humpy's appeal to the State Government

Principal Correspondent

Koneru Humpy. — File Photo: V. Ganesan.

HYDERABAD: Double Asian Games gold medallist Koneru Humpy appealed to the State Government to take appropriate steps to inculcate `sports culture' at the school-level by involving the Physical Education Teachers (PETs) in a big way.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the three-day AP Physical Education Teachers seminar at St. Patrick's High School here on Thursday, the chess champion felt that nowadays the focus was more on academics and less on sports.

"It is high time the parents realise their kids can excel in both simultaneously with proper support from the age group competitions. This is where the PETs play a major role in influencing the parents and the talented youngsters by spotting them early and giving right guidance," she remarked.

Humpy lauded the APPETA efforts in organising such a big seminar featuring 5000 PETs and hoped that this would usher in a new chapter in the physical education history of the State.

The APPETA felicitated Humpy on winning the `golden double' at Doha.

New thrust

The seminar is expected to give a new thrust to the faculty of physical education across the State while debating on important issues with the primary objective of creating a massive awareness about the concept of PETs and their significance in moulding raw talent from the rural areas.

Right now, there are about 20,000 PETs in both Government and private schools and only 6000 of them are on the pay rolls, according to B. Yadaiah, president of APPETA. He said that unless the Government ensured about 65,000 more in primary schools alone and 5000 more in high schools, the very purpose of physical education would be defeated.

"It is imperative for the government to include Physical education as an evaluation subject for this will see to that there are at least minimum playing facilities unlike the existing set-up," explained Mr. Yadaiah.

The participants include familiar names like Prof. Satyanarayana (OU), Dr. Bhaktiar Choudhary (sports scientist), Dr. Ravi Kumar (NIT, Warangal). While interacting with the speakers, the PETs are expected to come up with creative ideas for giving a new direction to the concept of physical education.

Forum to air grievances

"The seminar also aims to give a voice to the PETs to air their grievances and needs to the Government," said S. Someshwar Rao, Associate President of APPETA. The role of important wings like SAAP, AP Olympic Association, parents, and philanthropists was also going to be debated.

The APPETA president said that with the Department of School Education allocating an annual budget of Rs.1.43 crore only, there was very little the PETs could do. "It's time the Government listened to our woes and came out with concrete measures to make optimum use of the PETs in the State," he concluded.

The PETs will also engage themselves in competitions in nine disciplines during evening hours to prove a point or two.

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