Unique sports programme launched

Founder Dev Roy, former managing director of Barclays Capital, said the programme will provide a more structured look to sports right from primary to high school level.

“Our vision is that every child going through this programme is socially responsible, fitter, confident and has all the basic skills to excel in any sport they choose,” he added.

The programme has several renowned sportspersons in the advisory team, including Olympian Nisha Millet, former Karnataka cricket skipper J Arun Kumar, former India hockey goalkeeper Ashish Ballal.

LeapStart so far has been launched in four schools -- St Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Treamis Public School, Delhi Public School and New Age School -- in the State and response, according to Dev Roy has been overwhelming from the students. Arun Kumar, cricket advisor for LeapStart, felt a programme like this was long overdue. “I fully support this innovative approach to sports and fitness and I hope more number of schools take advantage of this programme.”

Pradhyum Reddy, the football advisor, stressed on the need to hone the talent. “If you look at the talent in India, it is quite big. In places like Austin Town, some of the players are extremely good. But we need to polish that talent and improve fitness levels.”