A unique initiative called ‘Kids to Pitch’ will be launched on October 7, where the Paljor Stadium in Gangtok will be opened exclusively for children below 12 years from 7-9 AM every Sunday.
This initiative is the brainchild of a group of likeminded people from Gangtok in coordination with the department of Sports & Youth Affairs.
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The main idea of the initiative is to engage young children in outdoor activities and to give basic knowledge in sports and fitness.
The group has been comprises of likeminded parents, former sportspersons and sports enthusiastic led by Sports & Youth Affairs Deputy Director [coaching], Thupten Rapgyal.
Addressing a press conference, Rapgyal mentioned that the initiative has been started in consultation with the Secretary of Sports & Youth Affairs Department. He stated that these days children have been confined to four walls so this initiative would help bring out young children on the ground once a week for outdoor activities. He added that most of parents fear to send their children in the packed ground with senior sportspersons so this initiative exclusively for children have been getting encouraging responses. “This would also help the children to bring change in their lifestyle and grow their interest in fitness and would also establish a good foundation in sports,” he expressed.
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Rapgyal has expressed his happiness on the interest shown by parents to support this initiative. “Later on the initiative will have the total involvement of parents and we would only provide them technical support. This is a very good start by likeminded people and we are hoping it will make a big impact in near future,” he said.
Members of the group stated that children of different age groups will be segregated and coaches will look after children of different age groups. They also shared plans to organize Baby Football Tournament in near future and competition in other sports as well. “We would closely watch every children to establish a good foundation in sports and would be encouraged in the sports of their choice,” they said.