Visakhapatnam: To be able to gain mastery over technique in his game under a qualified badminton coach has been hugely morale boosting for city lad Mukesh Ravi, who has enrolled in the ongoing Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s (GVMC) summer camp at the Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium here.
Hosting a variety of sports, games and other activities, the GVMC’s summer coaching camps have become a huge hit with children, with a visible increase in attendance over last summer. The camps, which started on May 5, will continue till May 28 at 217 venues across the city.
The Railway Ground, Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, ZP High School in Chandrampalem, NTR Stadium in Anakapalli, St. Peter's High School in Gnanapuram, Siva Sivani School in Marripalem and stadiums in Andhra University have been brimming with keen young players in the mornings.
GVMC commissioner Pravin Kumar said, “About 5,980 kids are taking part in these camps. About 250 coaches, who earlier took part in national and state-level sports and games, are extending their technical know-how to the budding sportspersons of the city. Camps like these help children develop social skills, self-confidence and disciplined habits.”
Sports, such as boxing, volleyball and basketball, received an overwhelming response, with the number of registrations being high. Director of Sports, GVMC, Y. Srinivasa Rao said that they are planning to conduct a two-day children’s Olympiad before the conclusion of the coaching camps.
“The camps, which are open to every child in the city, provide them an opportunity to explore their interests. Besides providing them the requisite sports materials, we also give them an egg, a banana and a bun,” he added.
Participants at the Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium complained about inadequate supply of drinking water at the camp. The GVMC provides a T-shirt and a participation certificate for each kid.
