‘Train the trainers’ programme to improve grassroots coaching

P. Gopi Chand inaugurated “the largest skill development programme at the grassroots level,” an initiative that aims to impart adequate training to coaches so benefits could trickle down to young sporting aspirants.

Dignitaries launch the programme on Thursday in Ahmedabad.

Badminton coach and former all-England champion P. Gopi Chand inaugurated India’s largest ‘train the trainers’ programmme on Thursday. The initiative aims to impart adequate training to coaches at the grassroots level so the benefits could trickle down to young sporting aspirants.

It is a project of the ELMS Sports Foundation, a not-for-profit initiative promoted by Vita and Jalaj Dani and mentored by Gopi Chand and 2008 Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra.

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As elaborated in a communique, Gopi Chand brought in 1500 Physical Education teachers from across Gujarat for advanced training. Gopi Chand and other experts will sieve further; 150 candidates will eventually be selected to become master trainers. They will attend a week-long workshop in which they will learn modern sports techniques; thereafter, they will impart the same to the other teachers across the state in a planned and phased manner.

'Will impact over 45,000 children every year'

Gopi Chand said, “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.”

The programme is looking at all-round development in sports, targeting the PE teachers, the students and the schools.