By M S Nazki
Never underestimate the heart of a champion! Perhaps that is the underlying message and the thematic undercurrent of the Sports carnival,/Khelo India Khelo! It’s because we all absolutely love the sport!
-Soccer forces life to move on. There’s always a new match. A new season. There’s always a dream that everything can get better. It’s a game of wonders!
-There is no getting around the fact that the moment you are at your very best is the moment you begin to become worse and worse. Others will come along who can run faster, jump higher, hit harder, and you will be forgotten. So keep going for it i.e. the top prize but still taking part is what matters!
-You are not alone in the struggles of life. Entire cosmos is with you. It evolves through the way you face and overcome challenges of life. Use everything to your advantage. So keep playing!
-Khelo India, which translates to “Play India” is a national program in India aimed at revitalizing the sports culture at the grassroots level and promoting sports for all. It’s a government initiative under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, focusing on developing sports infrastructure, talent identification, and providing training and support to young athletes.
-Objectives: Revive sports culture at the grassroots level!
-Khelo India aims to encourage sports participation at the community level and build a strong foundation for sports development.
-Build a strong framework for all sports: The program seeks to establish a comprehensive system for identifying and nurturing talent across various sports disciplines.
-Establish India as a great sporting nation: Khelo India strives to create an environment where India can excel in sports on the global stage.
-Key Components:
-Infrastructure Development: Creating and upgrading sports facilities at various levels.
-Talent Identification and Development: Implementing programs to identify promising young athletes and provide them with necessary training and support.
-Sports Competitions: Organizing sports events at the school, university, and community levels.
-Promoting Indigenous and Traditional Sports: Encouraging participation in traditional Indian sports and games.
-Implementation:
-The program is implemented by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, and the LakshmiBai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE).
-It involves collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders.
-In essence, Khelo India is a comprehensive effort to promote sports at all levels, identify and nurture talent, and ultimately, elevate India’s standing in the world of sports.
Khelo India: National Programme for Development of Sports, branded as Khelo India (transl. Play India), aims at improving India’s sports culture at the grass-root level through organized talent identification, structured sporting competitions and infrastructure development. It is a Government of India programme launched in 2017-18 under the tenure Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Ministers Vijay Goel and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. There has also been an emphasis on including traditional Indian games in Khelo India events in order to revive their popularity.
-Competitions
-Khelo India Youth Games
-Khelo India University Games
-Khelo India Winter Games
-Khelo India Para Games
-Khelo India Beach Games
-Khelo India Centres of Excellence
Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) are sports facilities across India, built upon existing facilities, aiming to provide basic facilities for sportspersons with potential. Each centre will cater to three sporting disciplines. In 36 States and Union Territories across 679 districts, there are more than 1000 Khelo India centres and in 31 States and Union Territories, around 32 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence have been notified. In November 2020, Minerva Academy was accredited as one of the centres of KISCE.
Anurag Thakur has officially launched 33 Khelo India centers at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Rajasthan. Additionally, the Sports Minister revealed plans to establish a National Center of Excellence featuring a specialized Sports Science Center in Rajasthan. Furthermore, an extra 18 Khelo India Centers will be established, bringing the total count of such centers in the state to 51.
Keeping the exciting adventures in mind, DC distributed sports kits under Khelo India Initiative at Sports Stadium Poonch!
-In a significant step towards promoting a vibrant sports culture and nurturing grassroots talent, the Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Vikas Kundal distributed sports kits to various Khelo India centres under the Khelo India Initiative at a dedicated event held at the Sports Stadium, Poonch.
The event was organized under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council, which continues to play a pivotal role in developing sports infrastructure and encouraging youth participation across the region. The Khelo India initiative aims to empower local athletes by equipping them with essential training resources and boosting their performance capabilities.
While addressing the gathering, the DC urged the youth to embrace sports not merely as a recreational pursuit but as a means to instill discipline, maintain good health and even represent the nation at various levels. He reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering sportsmanship and supporting young athletes in realizing their full potential.
The Khelo India Centres of Poonch expressed heartfelt gratitude to the District administration and the J&K Sports Council for the timely provision of sports kits which are expected to significantly contribute to the development of budding talent in the district.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Manager Sports Stadium Poonch, Mushtaq Ahmed. He lauded the continuous support from the Sports Council and the Deputy Commissioner in strengthening the district’s sporting ecosystem.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik, Assistant Commissioner Revenue Mohd Sayeed, Tehsildar Haveli Azhar Majeed, District Youth Services and Sports Officer (DYSSO)
Mohd Qasim, Chairman SMSMVC Tariq Khan, Retired Manager Nirdosh Kumar, Parink Singh, Anchor Vijay Kumar along with several coaches from different sports disciplines and other notable figures from the district were present on the occasion.
-The fundamentals start from the kit and the equipment!
-Sports equipment, also called sporting goods, are the tools, materials, apparel, and gear, which varies in shapes, size, and usage in a particular sport. It includes balls, nets, rackets, protective gears like helmets, goggles, etc. Since the performer must use a sport equipment, it can also be serve for protection.
-We always love to give the history: and here is history and development of sports world wide but India is catching up!
-Historically, many sports players have developed their own sporting equipment over time. For instance, the use of a football dates back to ancient China, between the Warring States period (476–221 BC) and the Han Dynasty (220 AD).
– As football remains the most popular sport in the 21st century, the material of the ball has completely changed over the centuries; from being made out of animal skin, to being lined with multiple layers of polyester or cotton.
-As the sporting equipment industry improves, so do the athletes’ performance. This is due to the fact that the equipment is more efficient, lighter and stronger, thus forming a biomechanical system that is interacting with the athlete.
-Since the massive adoption of wearable, new sport equipment tends to be electronics and connected to deliver data performances.
-Clothing and what we call a kit: Many sports have a common set of clothing, usually called a uniform or kit, including the association football kit, baseball uniform, basketball uniform, cricket whites, and cycling kit.
– As part of the uniform, athletes may wear jerseys; they may also be called shirts, sweaters in ice hockey or guernseys in Australian rules football. These jerseys may change color when the team is on the road.
-Technology is transforming the sports industry, impacting everything from athletic performance and injury prevention to fan engagement and sports management.
– It’s enhancing how athletes train, compete, and recover, while also creating new ways for fans to experience and interact with sports.
Here’s a breakdown of how technology is reshaping sports which the top guns of sports management in India goes!
-Enhanced Performance and Training: Wearable Technology: Devices like smartwatches, motion sensors, and GPS vests track athletes’ biometrics (heart rate, speed, etc.) and provide real-time feedback for optimizing training and performance.
-Data Analytics: Big data analysis of player performance data, including biomechanics and physiological data, reveals patterns and insights for personalized training and strategic decision-making.
-Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is used for injury prediction, automated video analysis, virtual coaching, and even personalizing the fan experience.
-Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology is enabling the development of lighter, stronger, and more functional sports equipment.
-Sports Science: Sports science integrates knowledge from various fields (physiology, biomechanics, psychology) to improve athletic performance, using technology to analyze and optimize training and recovery.
-Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR are being used for training simulations, allowing athletes to practice in realistic environments and develop skills without physical limitations.
-Improved Safety and Injury Prevention: Advanced Protective Gear: Helmets with impact absorption and mouthguards with sensors are helping to reduce the risk of head and other injuries.
-Biometric Monitoring: Wearable sensors and diagnostic programs help identify athletes at higher risk of injury, allowing for preventative measures.
-Real-time Monitoring: Technology can monitor an athlete’s physiological responses during training and competition, alerting them to potential overexertion or injury risks.
-Enhanced Fan Experience: Fans can access live games and highlights through various online platforms, increasing accessibility and convenience.
-Social Media and Digital Content: Social media platforms allow athletes and teams to connect with fans, share updates, and build communities.
-Interactive Experiences: VR and AR technology are being used to create immersive and engaging experiences for fans, both inside and outside the stadium.
-Smart Stadiums: Stadiums are incorporating technology to enhance the fan experience through features like interactive displays, smart concessions, and mobile ticketing.
-Revolutionizing Sports Management: Data-Driven Decision Making: Sports organizations are using data analytics to make informed decisions about player recruitment, training, and game strategies.
-Cybersecurity: Protecting sports organizations and athletes from cyber threats is becoming increasingly important as technology adoption grows.
-Esports: Esports is rapidly growing as a competitive sport, utilizing technology to create engaging experiences for both players and viewers.
-Ethical Considerations: Data Privacy and Security: The collection and use of athlete data raises concerns about privacy and security, requiring careful consideration and responsible practices.
-Fairness and Accessibility: It’s important to ensure that technology is used in a way that promotes fairness and accessibility for all athletes and fans.
-Impact on Physical Activity: While technology can enhance sports participation, it’s also crucial to maintain a healthy balance and avoid over-reliance on technology that could negatively impact physical activity levels.
In conclusion, technology is revolutionizing the sports industry, offering numerous benefits for athletes, fans, and organizations alike. However, it’s essential to address the ethical considerations and ensure that technology is used responsibly to enhance the integrity and accessibility of sports for everyone.
If it is being used in soccer, cricket and every other sport the other Nations of the world excel in then why not in India? India loves cricket but a short version of the game but other sports are catching up! Lambently to say we are still many miles off as far as world sporting events go! But could be Khelo India Khelo gives the impetus! Vikaas Kundal has taken a great initiative but more like this are required!