The dream of producing Olympic stars is taking flight in the heart of Delhi. The Delhi Sports School (DSS), launched in 2023, is already making waves with its first batch of 172 young athletes training in 10 Olympic disciplines. This initiative by the Delhi government aims to provide a holistic platform for talented youngsters to excel in sports while pursuing their education.
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From badminton and boxing to table tennis and weightlifting, the school offers a diverse range of sports under expert guidance. The facilities are top-notch, with a brand new swimming pool recently inaugurated by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Swimming, in fact, is mandatory for all students, recognizing its importance in overall fitness and injury recovery.
But DSS isn’t just about physical training. It understands the need for balanced development, offering light academic classes tailored to the demanding schedule of student-athletes. Extracurricular activities like dance and drawing add a dash of colour to their lives.
राजनीतिक नीयत हो तो "कुछ भी" मुमकिन है।
🏋🏽 ये Delhi Sports School है 🏊🏽
मानें ना मानें,
🏅 ये एक सरकारी स्कूल है 🏅 pic.twitter.com/Vk0Si8eaeH— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) February 20, 2024
The results already speak for themselves. The first batch has bagged a commendable 19 national medals and 88 state championship medals, with badminton and tennis leading the charge. Sandhya, a table tennis champion, and Chesta, a boxing champion, are just two examples of the talent blossoming at DSS.
“Before joining DSS, I hadn’t won any medals in state championships,” Chesta shares, “but now I’ve become both a state and national champion. I am thankful to the entire DSS team for their excellent coaching, guidance, and the facilities they provide.”
Divyanshu Rawat, a badminton champion, echoes the sentiment, “I have won two medals since joining DSS. Here, we receive the best coaching, diet, and other facilities. The school’s coaching and facilities help us perform better in both sports and academics.”
The school is expanding its reach, planning to open its doors to Class 11 students from 2025-26 onwards. Additionally, camps in other states are in the pipeline, aiming to tap into hidden talent across the country.
“We are planning to provide basic facilities in a school or a park in each of the 29 zones so that more students can take up sports,” says Sanjeet Sangwan, a senior official with the sports school.
The vision goes beyond individual achievements. DSS wants its students to be well-rounded individuals, equipped not just for sporting success but also for life beyond the field.
“We are raising sportspersons with a sense of how things work around, how to present themselves to the world without depending on anyone,” explains Sangwan. “We don’t want them to feel awkward when travelling around the world so we are training them accordingly.”
कुछ इस तरह से खिलाड़ियों को एक नया आसमान दे रही केजरीवाल सरकार✨
Delhi Sports School – बस 'OLYMPICS' है लक्ष्य 🥇🥇 pic.twitter.com/vAkvYNzTcl
— AAP Youth Wing (@AAPYouthWing) February 15, 2024
This holistic approach extends to academics as well. The upcoming Delhi Sports University, closely linked to DSS, will offer not just traditional academic subjects but also specialized courses in sports physiotherapy, sports equipment manufacturing, and even sports management.
With the backing of the Delhi government and the dedication of its team, the Delhi Sports School is poised to become a breeding ground for future champions. As Chief Minister Kejriwal envisions, it could be a key player in transforming Delhi into the country’s sports capital. The journey has just begun, but the potential is undeniable. The future of Indian sports might just be taking shape within the walls of this remarkable institution.
