‘Play A Game - Play for Fun’ to be launched State-wide in a phased manner
The new scheme of the government, Play A Game – Play For Fun, devised with the twin objectives of ensuring physical fitness among schoolchildren and thereby unearthing talented athletes for competitive sports was launched at Government TTI School, Manacaud, on Wednesday.
The scheme, implemented on a pilot basis in 14 schools in the district during the current academic year, is expected to gain State-wide coverage in a phased manner through the next few years.
It gains significance in the wake of the poor results in terms of physical fitness returned by students in the tests conducted as part of the Total Physical Fitness Programme between 2008 and 2011.
The key characteristics of the scheme, initiated by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA), include the provision of exposing its participants to a variety of games utilising improvised equipment and colourful mats.
The scheme at the pilot stage will cover those studying in classes I to VII and include an exciting competitive element in disciplines such as gymnastics, athletics, basketball and cricket.
Besides, the programme is also expected to help the children gain maximum coordination, flexibility, agility, gracefulness in movements, speed, strength and stamina. Further to this, the scheme will also help the children to develop the habit of taking challenges and enjoy success in due course.
Another interesting aspect is the inclusion of music in the programme in an attempt to enthuse children to undertake the various elements of training in a fun-filled environment and acquire skills in a variety of games without feeling any sort of stress.
The DSYA is being supported by the Travancore Royal Youth Sports Foundation, as a specialist partner, for the successful implementation of the scheme.
The scheme was formally inaugurated by KSSC president Padmini Thomas in the presence of Director (Sports) Amit Mallick, Additional Director S. Najimuddin, and KSSC secretary P.S. Abdul Rassak.
