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Gyms in State's first grade colleges soon

Last Updated 21 December 2014, 18:59 IST

First grade colleges across the State can soon expect well equipped gyms on their premises.

In a first of such initiative, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports will set up gyms at these colleges and impart training to gym instructors. The programme is part of the State government’s plan to set up “Yuva Shakti Kendra” in educational institutions. Last year as much as Rs 4.5 crore was allocated in the budget for this purpose. About Rs 15 lakh was dedicated for each district.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, M S Ramesh, Joint Director, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, said that over the last one year they had established gyms in 30 first grade colleges, spread across the all the districts. This year, it has been planned to set up 60 more gyms and extend the facility to the colleges at taluk level. The department would also establish sports therapy centres in colleges.

Further, this set up will also be available in Morarji Desai Schools, according to the official. At present, the facility has been extended to 17 schools and gyms would be set up at more schools this year.

Training for instructors

Setting up the infrastructure is but one part of the task. The department has not been able to find well trained gym instructors in the private sector. Hence, they have taken it upon themselves to train instructors. Apart from being eligible for posts in first grade colleges, these instructors would also be given certificates to find jobs in private sector.
Through this, the department hopes to create a pool of well trained instructors in the private sector too.

Recently, the department conducted interviews and selected 30 candidates for training. Another round of interview would be conducted soon, according to Ramesh. The training is being conducted free of cost. The course has been designed on a par with international standards, he said. Beginning from anatomy, the course work would cover all the skills required for a gym instructor. According to officials in the department, candidates in the age group of 18  and 30 are eligible for training.

The minimum prescribed qualification is SSLC. However, a background in sports is mandatory, officials said. If the applicants have prior experience as instructors, they would be put through a crash course for 30 days. Others would be trained for six months. The training would be held at Kumbalagod, Vidyanagar (Airport Road) and Kanteerava Stadium.

The course work also includes awareness on sexual harassment. The trainees will be educated about the proper conduct for an instructor while engaging with students in the gym. For this purpose, the department has tied up with Nimhans. A course material for has already been prepared with the help of experts from Nimhans, Ramesh added.

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(Published 21 December 2014, 18:09 IST)

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