Date:30/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/30/stories/2008103056802000.htm

Sport - Sports : General

Total Physical Fitness Programme to be launched on November 14

A. Vinod

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Total Physical Fitness Programme, the ambitious project of the Kerala State Sports Council, will be launched by Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan at a public function here on November 14.

Giving details on Wednesday Education Minister M.A. Baby and Sports Minister M. Vijayakumar said that it has also been decided to observe the inaugural day of the programme, coinciding with the Children’s Day celebrations, as “Physical Fitness Day.”

Sports for all

The programme was aimed at spreading the message of ‘Sports for All and Health for All’ and was the first step towards introduction of sports as part of the educational curriculum.

Over 32 lakh children studying in about 4,300 Government and aided schools across the State will be tested of their physical capabilities as part of the programme.

Initially, the programme will cover students studying from fifth standard to the ninth standard. During the next academic year, this would be spread to students studying till the 12th standard.

The Government was also exploring the possibility of introducing the project in unaided schools, recognised by it, also from the next academic year.

Five groups

Students will be graded into five groups according to their physical capabilities. Those emerging in the first two groups will be provided intensive training in a chosen sports discipline as a follow-up programme, Mr. Vijayakumar said.

The Education Minister said the project, being implemented by the KSSC in coordination with the Education, Health and Local Administration Departments besides helping the Government in identifying hidden sports talent among school children also has a social objective — spreading the message of healthy life style among all sections of the people.

Besides, the two Ministers, the media briefing was also attended by the KSSC president T.P. Dasan, Director (Sports and Youth Affairs), G. Kishore and the TPFP project director T.I. Manoj.