Rural advantage

[1]

Union Sports Minister Ajay Maken had told media persons in Kozhikode last month, that the emphasis of his ministry was on identifying talent from villages and promoting them to the national level.

Chakkitapara Gramin Sports Academy situated near the scenic Peruvanamuzhi dam in Kozhikode, is one such example of academy that promotes athletes from little known villages to the sport’s mainstream.

The brainchild of a retired bank officer, the sports academy has already emerged as a well-known centre for grooming athletes. And it is also a major contributor to medal-winning athletes, from the district and at national meets.

Says Peter K. M., the sole trainer and founder of the sports academy, “I thought about setting up an academy in the rural part of the district to give a boost to the talent from here.

“Started in 2007, the academy has produced several athletes, who have excelled in national meets. Long jumper Nayana James, hurdler Jibin Sebastian, sprinter Jinson Johnson and Sachin Mohan (hammer throw) are a few athletes who are known at the national level,”.

Most athletes are recruited from nearby schools, especially St George HSS. “There are 25 students in the academy at present and we practise daily. I just wanted to encourage students from this arena to participate in meets. But they must have the real talent for them,” he said.

Funds crunch is the major problem he faces at the moment. “I am training free-of-cost at the panchayat ground in Chakkitapara and the training I give is basic. Those who excel usually get selected to the SAI academy and other academies, where they get better training,” he said.

“I want to make it a bigger set-up. But lack of funds is a major problem. The players need more equipment and better grounds to practise. However, we are trying our bit to promote sports in this rural village in Kozhikode,” he said. Peter's two children have represented the State at the national level and this has been a contributory factor to Peter’s starting his academy here.