The Hindu : Sport : TAKE scheme completes a decade

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Saturday, Jun 04, 2011
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Sport - Sports : General

TAKE scheme completes a decade

M.R. Praveen Chandran

THIRUVANNATHAPURAM: The school training programme in taekwondo, initiated by the Taekwondo Association of Kerala (TAKE) in association with DPI and Directorate of Sports and Youth affairs, has completed a successful run of 10 years.

Started in the year 2001 in just two schools, the scheme has now been implemented in 68 schools in the State. Thirteen new schools were included this year. The number of students undergoing training has risen to more than 5000.

The programme was the brainchild of Dr. K.M. Abraham, the founder-president of TAKE.

“The best way was to catch them young and schools was the best option,” says B. Aji, the general secretary of TAKE. DPI identified schools in the districts while TAKE took care of the training.

Students from fifth standard to plus two were given training by qualified instructors. National referees, black belt holders and qualified coaches were appointed as instructors by the TAKE. There are almost 60 instructors imparting training, being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs. 3000, which is distributed by the Directorate of sports and youth affairs.

Training is given to 25 students in each school for three days a week. For the last 10 years, TAKE has also conducted inter-school competitions.

“Generally the inter-school competitions are well attended. We were able to build a substantial talent base,” says Aji.

Thiruvananthapuram district, with eight schools, has the maximum number of schools while Wayanad, Pathanamthitta and Kozhikode with three each have the lowest number.

The programme may be the longest running scheme implemented by a sports association in the State. The scheme's success can be gauged from the podium finish of the Kerala schools team in the National School Games early this year.

The trainees of this scheme have made Kerala a force to reckon with in the national junior events and punch above its weight at senior level.

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