By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: A small wrestling training centre for children in age group 10 to 14 years would be established at High School in Ghogha village of Kahalgaon subdivision in this district.
Following efforts of state government department of art, culture and youth affairs and Bihar State Sports Authority, the central government has cleared proposal for setting up small wrestling centre for children under Khelo India programme launched for improving performance for India in sports.
Process has been already initiated by Bihar State Sports Authority for appointment of a qualified trainer to be posted at the training centre. Provision has been made for payment of honorarium of Rs 25000 to the trainer.
As per available information the planned small wrestling training centre would be non-residential. Total 30 boys and girls selected through trial would receive training at the centre.
As per Jai Narayan Kumar, District Sports Officer (DSO), the children selected for training would be provided sports kit besides sports related materials free of cost. Under Khelo India programme, the centre would be provided modern gadgets and equipment for match and training purposes.
Establishment of the training centre would help further popularize wrestling as sport in rural areas of district, it is felt. It may be mentioned wrestling is a popular sporting activity in villages of the district particularly those located in gangetic belt.
Wrestling championships, a major sporting event is organized annually in some of these villages. As per information the Khelo India programme would be formally launched in 32 districts of state in first phase on August 15 this year.
The upcoming small wrestling training centre in this district is being established in first phase of the programme. There is plan of establishing similar small training centres of different sports discipline in state in subsequent phases of the programme.
Writer Avijit Biswas, former principal correspondent of Hindustan Times Bhagalpur bureau, can be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.com
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