Tamil Nadu: Govt, NGOs bet on slum kids as next sportstars

Chennai: K Anitha, 22, a member of the Police Boys and Girls Club in Kannagi Nagar, was part of the Tamil Nadu kabbadi team that secured the third place in the 36th national kabaddi tournament held in Gujarat. This was possible because of the training she got in the resettlement colony. Her achievement now serves as an inspiration for other children in her locality.
Anitha, a long-time resident of Kannagi Nagar resettlement colony, started playing kabbadi when she was in Class VIII.Her father Kaliappan, a construction worker, and mother Anjalai, struggled a lot to make ends meet, but educated her and encouraged her to pursue the sport.
"Initially, there were not many training facilities, but now there is improvement .. seeing me, many children in my locality are getting into sports such as volleyball and cricket," said Anitha.
In order to promote sports in the resettlement colonies and create more sportspersons, the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) has tied up with Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), NGOs and the Greater Chennai Corporation to create sports facilities along with dedicated trainers.
"We are creating infrastructure to help youngsters. Soon, we will have good stadiums and playgrounds in Kannagi Nagar and Perumbakkam. We have tied up with NGOs to coach children in different sports," said Govinda Rao, managing director,TNUHDB,
K Tamil Azhagan, Kannagi Nagar Police Boys and Girls Club in-charge, said TNUHDB has been helping in providing equipment and space for sports activities. "This prevents kids from falling into bad company," he explained.
J A Nirmal Raj, chief community development officer of TNUHDB, said grounds in Kannagi Nagar and Perumbakkam have been handed over to SDAT and GCC for setting up sports facilities. "The children can play volleyball, cricket and football. We have been identifying potential talent with the help of community development wing and police boys and girls club," he added.
Corporates are also coming forward to encourage the underprivileged children. A company called LatentView has identified 90 boys and 90 girls from30 government schools in Chennai and Thiruvallur and provided formal training through certified trainers. They are organising a football tournament called 'ChennaiKaalpandhu League' to scout talent
A Satish Kumar, SUP Marinaa, a stand-up paddling club, has been training 30 youngsters from fishermen community in this sport. "We have brought youngsters out of bad habits," he said.