In a welcome change, the management of the prestigious Hyderabad Public School has decided to see that its every sports-loving student gets a feel of the play-facilities available on its sprawling 160-acre premises at Begumpet.
For, as part of this initiative, the school has decided to introduce staggered timings of letting the students from different classes to enjoy their training sessions out there on the grounds. Unlike in the past when a privileged few used to get a chance and that too only after the school hours, these new timings mean students train through out the day at different hours.
“The whole idea is to encourage more and more students to take up sports with all seriousness and also compete in as many inter-school meets,” says Samala Srinivas Reddy, senior faculty member of Physical Education. “The response is really good and we hope to a force to reckon with in the days to come in some important disciplines such as football, athletics, cricket to start with,” he pointed out.
‘Vast talent'
And, the management also roped in the services of former Hyderabad Ranji left-arm fast bowler Ghouse Baba who is now into regular training of young cricketing talent at newly-laid practice wickets, including two turf wickets. “There is plenty of talent and all that they need is proper exposure,” says the coach as he takes care of 60 trainees.
Five grounds
By all means HPS stands out for its sheer vastness as the play facilities are spread over 23 acres with five grounds always available for the students.
With an indoor dining hall coming up to cater to the needs of 1,500 students at one time, the management feels that waste of time will be reduced to a large extent. There is a mind-boggling statistics too that the kitchen staff serve snacks and lunch every day to about 3,000 students and staff.
“What is important is that sports training is free of cost and we are encouraged by the fact that many young talent from other schools are seeking admission in HPS because of the year-long training programmes, facilities and equal stress on academic excellence,” says Srinivas Reddy even while reminding that all this is possible thanks to the complete support of the management and the Principal Colonel R.S. Khatri.
Well, for a school which produced a virtual who's who from the city in different walks of life, including the current Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, shooter Asher Noria, it is surely in line for bigger laurels if the new trend continues.
