School Sports Promotion Foundation (SSPF) concluded its district Anantnag events for four sports – Football, Cricket, Athletic and Volleyball – under its National Talent Search and Nurture initiative 2018-19.
Through this initiative, which has been launched in partnership with Sports Authority of India (SAI), talented children were selected at the grassroot level and will be groomed through various coaching camps which will be held in coming days.
The officials of SSPF from Kashmir division said that the closing ceremony of four sports– Football, Cricket, Athletic and Volleyball – was held at Army Goodwill School, High Ground, Anantnag on Thursday.
“The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, was the chief guest during the event. Medals and mementoes were given to the players by the chief guest and other dignitaries,” they said, adding the event was sponsored by 1 RR.
The aim of the national talent hunt is to produce a long line of champions for the Olympic Games, Commonwealth games and major sporting events.
“The initiative launched by SSPF – National Talent Search and Nurture programs – in partnership with SAI is very helpful for talented children,” Kashmir Divisional Coordinator for Athletics, Kysar Pandith said.
He said the talent hunt is being supported and recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, GoI, as National Sports Promotion Organization.
“SSPF is a non-profit philanthropic trust committed to promote a National movement in Sports, rooted in the schools, colleges and universities,” he said, adding the kids will now participate in the state championships of their respected sports.
He said the players who will win in the state events will get an opportunity to participate in the national championships.
He said the players selected at the national level will get a chance to live in Centre of Excellence (COE) – an integrated residential school facilities – will be given quality education with advanced coaching in Sports by best national and international coaches.
Pandith said COEs create a safety net – in providing high quality education at K-12 schools. “SSPF ensures that players at any level are socially and financially well positioned,” he added.
“Beyond school years – players join undergraduate program in designated universities level COEs – leads to a degree and extended opportunity to become international – and or creates qualified resource persons for sports,” further he added.