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Tapping talent
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Over 3,000 children participated in the weeklong programme organised by SAAP
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THE SCHEME of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh to involve working children from the old city in various types of sports and games drew a good response from the targeted group. More than 3,000 children took part in the programme, which lasted for one week.
The venues where the events were held include Quli Qutub Shah stadium, Government Junior College (at Chanchalguda), Azziza HS (at New Malakpet), Balsettiket Playground (at Dabeerpura) and the Government Junior College for girls (at Hussaini Alam).
It was a commendable effort on the part of SAAP to take sports to the grassroots. As is well known, children from economically weaker sections rarely have the opportunity to take part in sports activity. Often, they are caught up in the struggles and compulsions of day-to-day life and have no time for physical or mental improvement.
But when given a chance, many turn out to be exceptionally gifted sportspersons and are sometimes able to reach the very top in their chosen sport. There are numerous examples of such children excelling at different sports and eventually emerging as champions at the national and international level.
So the idea of implementing such a scheme for the working children of Hyderabad was a laudable effort both in planning and execution. To add to the significance and viewer attraction of the scheme, SAAP also roped in sports stars of the twin cities including tennis ace Sania Mirza and former cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin to interact with the children at various venues. The youngsters were clearly overwhelmed to be at such close quarters with the celebrities whom they had only seen on their television screens till then. The competitions were conducted in athletics, volleyball, kabaddi, football, cricket, carrom, tennikoit and Tug-of-War. The winners were given track suits and sports materials as prizes. A medical examination of the children was also conducted.
The need now is to carry the scheme further and if SAAP can come up with some follow up programmes to tap and develop talent from among these children, it may go a long way to improve not only the standard of sports among them but also play a constructive role in making their lives more fruitful.
ABHIJIT SEN GUPTA
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