ANAHITA, in its journey across geographical boundaries, working amongst ground level realities of urban and rural populationsof states and districts, the one fact that stood out was that the youth is being pushed away from physical and emotional wellbeing by pressurizing them towards academics, and the dream of “IAS, IPS, Engineer, Doctor” has driven the children to losing their childhood, and along with it, their agility. Children who are not drawn to Cricket suffer even more, as the only money generating sport to be played is Cricket, mostly owing to the popularity of its viewership and the reports of how rich the Cricket players are in India. This is an expensive sport and not affordable by majority of the Indian population in its entirety. Affordable and more aggressively goal oriented sports like Football, even though very popular in almost every state, is often left out. Increasingly, we are seeing the youth of our nation grow up amongst lack of organized sports, coaching, structured physical activity to increase stamina, endurance and a healthy Musculo-skeletal structure. Resulting effects are visible in both, urban and rural areas, in the form of lethargic demeanor of children in all aspects of daily life, addiction to social media and mobile phones, inability to follow instructions correctly, disrespect for authority, depleting concentration and focus, and falling academic performance. A HEALTHY LIFE IS A PRODUCT OF A HEALTHY BODY AND AN ACTIVE BRAIN. Our rural sectors are, today, able to afford a nutritious diet for their children, but the excess energy is not being expended in constructive and growth-oriented activities that will shape their tomorrow better.
GenZ is already a new mindset to handle. However, an entire generation that is not focused, is unable to accept directions, unable to respect authority, unable to take instructions, unable to function in groups and amongst people, is misled by solo activities like social media and quick-viewing apps, cannot form the backbone of a nation set to reach new heights as an economic power. An active mind and an energetic body needs to be channelized to learn the finer nuances of following instructions, inclusive coaching for both genders together from a young age, bringing gender neutrality into the their comprehension and sensitivity towards the other gender, retaining guidelines, respecting authority, understanding rules and obeying regulations, while working in a team, colluding with others for a common goal, building stamina and physical endurance to give the nation a more work-hardy, intelligent, cohesive and diligent workforce in the coming years. Their overall development at the grass roots level is of penultimate importance, so that they are healthy in mind, body and intelligence. That is what we see in all developed nations of the world, where children are groomed to excel not just in academics but also in sports and physical endurance activities so that they grow to have focused objectives and adhesion to their common goals.
To address this trend that has been noticed across urban and rural areas alike, ANAHITA is pleased to tie up with Supersports® International AB, to spread Football as a sport across the children from economically weaker sections and rural population, as in the urban and semi-urban areas. It is an affordable sport, and helps build stamina, immunity, strength, while teaching the children the importance of self-discipline, acceptance of authority, team play and brotherhood, while allowing children to build physical and mental stamina, improve mind and body coordination, better focus and concentration, improve academic performance and grow an enthusiasm for routine, in a fun and interactive way, while keeping them away from unhealthy habits.
In the first leg, Supersports® will roll out their program in the Government schools of Uttar Pradesh. Program Leaders and Coaches from Supersports® International will follow a structured method of first training the PE teachers from each school over a period of 2 days, with their trademark mobile application, to keep the PE Teachers connected and engaged during and after the coaching. Then starts the rollout in individual schools, with a constant monitoring regimen of school visits, performance metrics and detailed performance improvement reports across disciplines.
We are actively seeking contributions from individuals and organizations through their CSR Program, to enable us to roll out the Supersports® program in Government schools in Uttar Pradesh. With an assumption of 1000 children per school from Nursery to 12th standard, we are asking for to Rs.125/- per child. This would include,
The teaching app License for the PE Teachers to use the application per school
Personalized grooming of the PE Teachers
School visits and personalized grooming of the children
Sports kit** for the team who represents the school in matches
Aggregated studies for a “before and after” comparative analysis
Inter district matches and tournaments
State teams and talent grooming
Career prospects
International exposure
We are hoping to establish the importance of structured sports in the curriculum of children from a tender age to grow them physically, mentally & emotionally, as holistic human beings, able to do well with others, able to respect all genders, able to show confidence, happiness and acceptance, and able to demonstrate self-discipline at all levels. The contribution of an active and physically fit, mentally alert and disciplined workforce for the future of any nation cannot be undermined, we are also trying to ward off metabolic diseases like Diabetes & Hypertension, and Depression with one stone.
