PANAJI: Mumbai Khiladis who are set to participate in the inaugural Ultimate Kho-Kho from 14th August 2022, commenced their unique school outreach programme on 30th July in Pune, Maharashtra in collaboration with the District Sports Office Pune, states a press release.
The aim of the school outreach programme is to educate the players and inspire them to take up Kho-Kho as a sport and to help inculcate a sporting habit in school children.
The Mumbai Khiladis school outreach programme was held at the New English School Ramanbaug, where the children from grades 5th to 10th joined in. Around 160 students from SNDT Kanya Shala, Deccan Education Society’s Ahilyadevi High School, Mahilashram High School, Saraswati School, Siddhivinayak School and Nav Maharashtra, participated in the programme.
Sunil Shivale, Principal, New English School Ramabaug said: “We are happy that we got an opportunity to start the Mumbai Khiladis school outreach program. I believe that the players and students who are here for the camp will get inspired and take up Kho-Kho professionally. As a Kho Kho enthusiast, I will ensure that my students get motivated by the program and develop their game.”
The event was graced by multiple dignitaries like Mahadeo Kasgawade, District Sports Office, Pune; Ashok Palande, D.E.S Council Member; Khemraj Ranpise, D.E.S Sports Director; Narendra Shah, Former Kho-Kho Player; Ashok Dhainje, Kho-Kho Coach and Rajendra Shah, Shiv Chhatrapati Awardee.
Mahadeo Kasgawade the DSO of Pune who was present at the event also expressed his thoughts, “The Mumbai Khiladis School Outreach Program is the start of a new chapter for the sport of Kho Kho and together we will work towards the development of the sport, our focus will be towards growing the sport and we believe we will reach maximum students and young Kho Kho players in near future.”
Madhukar Shree, CEO, Mumbai Khiladis; Rajendra Sapte, Head Coach; Shobhi R, Assistant Coach; Vaibhav Patil, Head Physio and Sandeep Narawade, the Strength and Conditioning Coach and players Milind Kupre, Vijay Hazare, Gajanan Shengal, Shreejesh and Rohit Verma of Mumbai Khiladis coaching and playing staff were also part of the event held in Pune.
Mumbai Khiladis staff and players not only educated players about the sport but also explained how diet, fitness and mental strength are essential in Kho-Kho. It also gave the school children an opportunity to interact with professional Kho-Kho players from the team and to participate in a strength and conditioning session taken by the Mumbai Khiladis coaching staff that was present at the event.
Rajendra Sapte, head coach, Mumbai Khiladis expressed, “It brings me great joy to see these young minds participate in our school outreach programme. I am sure many of them have been inspired to take up Kho-Kho as a sport. I hope we were also able to help them understand the sport better and to showcase the added value of sports in a person’s life.”
Speaking on the occasion, Madhukar Shree, CEO, Mumbai Khiladis said “Our school outreach programme is a unique initiative that will surely inspire the young boys and girls to take up Kho-Kho. It makes me happy that we could provide the children with an amazing experience that will stick with them for the rest of their lives. I am also extremely excited about the inaugural Ultimate Kho-Kho as I believe it will revolutionise the sport in the country and transform the perception of it, by shining a much-needed spotlight on Kho-Kho. I would also like to thank the New English School Ramanbaug for supporting us in this initiative. Additionally, I also thank children from the V.R. Ruia Mook Badhir Vidyalaya kids, the teachers of the school were proactive in explaining the session to the kids which was a beautiful sight to behold as they were extremely enthusiastic throughout.”
