Varanasi Honours 125 Young Athletes After Seven-Sport Summer Camp

VARANASI — One hundred and twenty-five children have been honoured after spending a month of their summer break training at the Mini Stadium in Parmanandpur, a local camp that put seven sports within reach of school-age players.

The group included 75 girls and 50 boys. They trained in handball, judo, table tennis, martial arts, hockey, rugby and athletics under eight coaches. At a felicitation held at Vikas Inter College, each participant received a certificate marking the completion of the programme.

The ceremony was organised by the UP Adventure Sports Club, with Dr Asha Singh attending as chief guest. Coaches named in the programme included Abhishek, Amarendra, Aashish, Sumit, Sarita Dubey, Sunita Patel, Astha and Shivani.

The number that stands out is not only 125 but 75: girls formed the larger share of the camp. In youth sport, that does not happen automatically. Families need confidence in the venue, timing, supervision and journey home before they allow a daughter to attend regular practice.

WHY A SUMMER CAMP MATTERS

A one-month programme is not meant to produce a finished athlete. Its value is discovery. A child who has only watched hockey or judo can learn the basic movement, understand the rules and decide whether to continue. Coaches can also notice balance, speed, coordination or competitive focus that might remain invisible in an ordinary physical-education period.

Offering seven disciplines reduces the pressure to treat cricket as the only serious option. Rugby and handball can attract children who enjoy team contact and quick passing, while judo and martial arts build individual control. Athletics provides a base that supports nearly every other sport.

Certificates give the children a proud finish, but the next step matters more. Parents need to know where regular training will continue, what it costs, which coach is responsible and when district trials are held. Without that bridge, a camp becomes a pleasant holiday memory rather than the first rung of a sporting pathway.

TURN PARTICIPATION INTO CONTINUITY

The Mini Stadium can maintain momentum by publishing weekly practice slots and a simple registration route. Equipment-sharing is important for families that cannot immediately buy a racket, stick, uniform or protective gear. Girls' changing space, safe drinking water and first-aid support should be treated as basic infrastructure.

Schools can help by recognising attendance at approved coaching sessions and forming teams around the children who showed interest. A local league across Parmanandpur and nearby schools would give beginners something concrete to train for.

Dalimss News did not independently verify each attendance record, but the released programme details show a broad base: 125 children, eight coaches and seven sports over one month.

Varanasi often celebrates athletes after a medal. This ceremony celebrated them earlier, at the point when most were simply learning how to stand, move, fall, pass or finish a race. That is where a sports culture actually begins — not on a podium, but at the next practice after the applause ends.