9 months ago
Children Flock to South Calcutta Grounds for Athletic Training
In a place called South Calcutta, there's a big grassy area near a stadium where lots of kids go after school.
They wear colorful shirts and play different games like soccer, running, and cricket.
Some kids are very young, like four years old, and others are older, up to 14.
Their parents, mostly moms, bring them and watch from the side.
The coaches help them practice, teaching them how to run fast, jump far, and play together.
Some kids travel from far away towns just to play here.
Parents hope that playing sports will help their kids get good jobs when they grow up, maybe even in the army or for the government.
But the kids?
They just love to play and have fun with their friends on the field.
Children aged 4 to 14 are actively participating in sports training at the White Borders ground near Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in South Calcutta.
The training grounds accommodate football, athletics, and cricket, attracting children from various distant towns.
Coaches like Dipu Das and Rekha Halder lead warm-ups, drills, and specific sport practices, emphasizing both enjoyment and discipline.
Parents, primarily mothers, accompany their children, viewing sports participation as crucial for development and future career prospects.
Long-time coaches, such as Amal Ghosh, continue to be involved, driven by their passion for sports and mentorship of young athletes.
- Who
- Children aged 4-14 and older, parents, and coaches
- What
- Children participating in various sports training sessions, including football, athletics, and cricket.
- Where
- The White Borders ground, an area around the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in South Calcutta.
- When
- Weekday afternoons at 4 PM, and more extensively on weekend evenings.
- Why
- Children play for enjoyment, while parents support training for potential career opportunities in sports, the army, or government jobs.
Key facts
- Location
- Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, South Calcutta
- Age Range of Participants
- 4 to 14 years old, and possibly older
- Sports Offered
- Football, Athletics, Cricket
- Time of Practice
- 4 PM on weekdays; more festive evenings on weekends
- Origin of Participants
- Champahati, Bata, Nangi, Sonarpur, Jaynagar, Piali, Budge Budge, Nadia, Burdwan, Midnapore
- Coaches Mentioned
- Dipu Das, Rekha Halder, Amal Ghosh
Quotes
Coach Rekha Halder
A coach at the camp.
“Many children come to us when they are only four or five years old. Just like school, some children cry for their mothers, while some children are frenetic with excitement.”
telegraphindia.com
“It’s on me to ensure that these children enjoy their time here.”
telegraphindia.com
Amal Ghosh
A senior coach, former national record-holder in the long jump, and retired railway employee.
“I grew up playing in this stadium since 1968.”
telegraphindia.com
“Alongside my job, I have been a coach here since 1982. I am retired now, but I love the children and sports, so I make it a point to show up.”
telegraphindia.com
Pratibha Naskar
Mother of Biprakash, a student of Class VII, who came from Budge Budge.
“I would have liked to skip today because of the weather, but he would not have it.”
telegraphindia.com
Aniruddha Mondal
A 9-year-old participant.
“I come here because I love playing.”
telegraphindia.com
Lakshmi
Mother of Aniruddha Mondal.
“I was a runner and part of an athletics club. I had to give up because of my family after I got married. But I want my sons to train and practise. I have a four-year-old. Next year, he will join his brother.”
telegraphindia.com
Pinky Laskar
Mother of Suhani Laskar, a national-level runner, who came from Champahati.
“More people get jobs from sports and athletics these days. So I think this is equally important.”
telegraphindia.com
Dipali Naskar
A parent.
“My son Deb wants to join the army. Training in athletics will prepare him for that.”
telegraphindia.com
Coach Das
A coach at the camp.
“Children come in from as far as Nadia, Burdwan, Midnapore. If someone shows potential, we ask them to come for practice in the mornings, too. You never know how far these children will go… the sky’s the limit.”
telegraphindia.com
