For a specialised sports session

Observing that children today prefer being indoors and devote time to electronic games, Chirag Patel,  like any other father, was anxious. And it was the result of this concern, KOOH Sports or ‘Kids Out Of Home’ was founded in 2012. As a sports education, training and technology platform, KOOH looks to get children to “embrace sport and a healthier life style”.

“We weren’t looking to establish a unique model, rather we wanted to take the institutional way and get into schools and understand how schools deal with education and sports curriculum,” the CEO and co-founder tells Metrolife.

After visiting 100 schools, it was apparent that “games and PT (physical training) were considered secondary to subjects” and many children, “especially girls” would not participate, owing to lack of interest. He says, “The idea was to initiate interest of children in the age category of two to 17 years, nurture their talent and promote the talented ones,” mentions the former squash player. 

Founded by seasoned professionals who have been in the services and outsourcing industry for over two decades, KOOH is an outsourced sports model providing “knowledge and training of various sports” with its team of coaches and trainers in various schools across the country. While admitting that it was a “challenge to convince schools” in the beginning, Patel says, “trial sessions worked”. Initially started with four sports namely basketball, cricket, soccer and badminton, the Mumbai-based chain now covers 13 sports and has worked with more than 2 lakh children.

Through 45 minute intense sessions twice every week for a period of eight-nine months, they concentrate on making sports a source of learning as well as fun for children in the allotted “games period” in the timetable. From offering in-school sports education to after hour sports academies and competitive platforms (tournaments, competitions, leagues), the company has launched a health, fitness and activity testing platform called ‘FOCUS Score’.

Patel describes, “Developing the interest through light activities like jumping for junior levels and concentrating on technique for the senior levels, our team conducts 10 types of scientific tests including on ability, endurance, flexibility which are given as a separate sports report card.”

Mentioning the need for improvement in the mindset regarding sports education in the country, Patel mentions, “Unless parents are convinced that a child can be physically running around or into a sport during competitive exams like Class 10 and 12 Board, transformation can’t happen. It’s time we overcome the myth that sports and studies can’t go together.”