With a renewed approach to tap the fresh talent and to give fillip to the domestic activities, the Jammu and Kashmir Kho-Kho Association (JKKKA) has decided to launch an ambitious programme of School Olympiad in J&K this year.
Targeting the school going youngsters in the age group between 16 years and 18 years, the Association has planned to involve 20 such schools with having potential in Kho-Kho to begin with in the first phase of the long term programme.
Founded in 1981 by the sports veteran and retired Assistant Director of the Sports Authority India(SAI), BS Tirthi, the Association affairs are presently being handled by the second generation senior players, who looks forward to the growth of the game on professional lines.
This was stated by general secretary of the JKKKA and former National player, Amrinder Singh in an interaction with SPORTSLINE Managing Editor, Sanjeev Sharma.
“To strengthen out talent pool and to catch them at young, it has been decided at the Association level to reach out to the youngsters in the school. With the sole intention of tap the talent and then groom them on professional lines, the JKKKA has planned to launch School Olympiad from coming sporting season of 2026-27,” said Amrinder.
“In the first phase of the first phase of the specially designed programme, 20 schools will be involved in the Jammu district. Similar initiatives will be taken in other districts of the Union Territory in a phased manner,” he added.
No Kho-Kho Coach in J&K
Presently, the game o fKho-Kho don’t have even a single exclusive Kho-Kho coach in the entire J&K.However, three Khelo India Centres have been established by the J&K Sports Council (JKSC), including one in district Kishtwar. Since the JKSC has not enrolled qualified coaches for over decades, the only NIS Diploma holder, top player Dheeraj Sharma has not been absorbed.
Long list of achievers
The J&K has a long list of achievers at the national and international stage. With Nazia Bibi has already won gold for India, five other senior players have played Test matches for the country. Further, we have a pool of around 40 technical officials, who continues to render their services at the State and National level events.“Since the coaches are not being engaged by the Government since long, majority of the players opt for studies in physical education so as to secure their future in the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS),” informed Amrinder.
Slow growth of Kho-Kho
Likewise in other parts of the country, the indigenous game of Kho-Kho has witnessed a slow grow in J&K too. While in India, Maharashtra has got the adequate infrastructure and talent while other states still have to go a long way. “There is a ray of hope for better days ahead with state of Odisha getting India’s first Centre of Excellence in Kho-Kho. In J&K, we have 15 active districts and efforts are on to involve remaining five,” said Amrinder.
Need infra on modern lines
With the changing trends and Kho-Kho reaching out to the European and African nationals, India needs to build facilities on modern lines. “The Association look forwards to approach the Government (JKSC) for mats and indoor playing facility atleast in the Capital cities. At present we have only mats playing facility in Gadigarh area of Jammu city,” disclosed the general secretary.
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