Thanking Sports Teachers in India: Standing their Ground in a Society that Lacks a Sporting Culture

Even the best of sporting talent may fail if they do not have the right coach to guide them and help them in honing and perfecting their skills. However, sports teachers or coaches are seldom given as much importance as academic teachers.

This is ironical, as in our tradition, the gurukuls were centres of physical and mental growth, with equal importance to both. Despite this, we have sports teachers and coaches today, who keep at their thankless job to aid the overall development of the next generation.

On account of Teacher’s Day, we spoke to a few coaches to understand what motivates and drives them, their dreams and expectations and the ethics which they abide by in their profession.

Rohit D'Souza, Rugby Coach, Co-founder at Mumbai Strikers Sports Club, Former Mentor at Magic Bus

Picture Credit: Prajakt Patil

"I enjoy teaching because I enjoy playing it. It's not always about the money, it's about the joy of effort that goes into training for a sport."

Tanaz Mohammed

National Level Hockey Player, Hockey Coach for MMK College Girls Team, Grassroots Development Coordinator at Mumbai City Football Club

"I learnt some of my biggest life's lessons from sports, and now I'm sharing it through coaching others."

Raj Shekhar, Football Coach, Worked with Mumbai Football Club, and with the likes of former players from Premier league clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.

"I play and coach football purely out of passion. Chase your passion and dreams, success will follow."

Raju Bhasvar, former Asian Games gold medallist, Arjuna Award winner, Kabbadi Coach

"I teach Kabbadi because this is the sport that has given me an identity. Coaching Kabbadi gives me immense satisfaction because I’m building a new healthy generation of India."

While we still struggle to understand the importance of sports, our coaches are struggling hard to nurture the best talent in the country. Their relentlessness and perseverance is inspiring, and Jaago Re salutes them for pre-acting towards building a sports culture in India.

Join them in elevating India’s world ranking in sports and ensure that every child gets the opportunity to identify their passion and talent in sports.

Sign the petition to make sports a compulsory subject in school curriculum by clicking on this link here

Alarm Bajne Se Pehle Jaago Re!