‘Train the Trainers’ the game-changer by Pullela Gopichand

Arjuna awardee winner and All England champion Pullela Gopichand launched ‘Train the Trainers’ programme on February 15 in Ahmedabad which includes 1,500 Physical Education (PE) teachers from across Gujarat for advanced training.

Gopichand clarified that it is a non-profit initiative ideated by ELMS Sports Foundation, aiming to develop skills of PE teachers and which will be a benefit for their students eventually.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra along with Gopichand will be supervising the programme besides being as mentors.

“This is the largest skill development programme at the grassroots level. It will impact over 45,000 children every year and change the physical literacy and sports knowledge in schools in Gujarat,” Gopichand said, “This is a game-changer but is just the first step. We intend to start similar programmes in other states too soon."

Firstly, the group of 150 PE expert teachers will be selected among 1500, to be trained as the master trainers, who need to attend a week-long workshop; where they will learn all the modern sports techniques. Later, they will transmit the same knowledge to other teachers across the state in a planned and phased manner.

“All this will be done under our supervision so that nothing is lost in translation," Gopichand delineated.

Gopichand urged schools to be active in sports that helps the country to develop a sporting culture. He said, “If schools play an active role in promoting sports, it will see an increase participation among students and will spread a sports culture,” he added, “Of course, if the student emerges well in the competition, the school will gain the popularity plus receives the sports equipment from the government.”

Vita Dani, one of the promoters of the initiatives said, “We want sports development through education and this means impart systematic and basic knowledge in sports to children. We will ensure that they get to participate in competitions like the Khelmahakumbh, the SGFI and the DLSS among others.”