Making sport a way of life

When you cross North Chennai, a bunch of children playing football or engaging in boxing is a common sight. For them, sport is a way of life. Hailing from varied backgrounds, they are the children of daily-wage workers, auto drivers etc, but are passionate about sport. The region has already contributed many sportsmen to the country and hopefully, we can expect many more talents to breakthrough in the future.

DC takes a look at how various sports including boxing, football and judo are helping the children at Vyasarpadi break the shackles and  excel in life.
North Chennai’s boxing culture dates back to the 70s, but the sport didn’t have many takers until a few years ago. But for the past couple of years, a few like-minded boxers have been conducting training for the local children. Boxing champion Narmada, who is currently undergoing advanced training in Kolkata, used to train girls in the sport.

“We have identified talented girls and are training them. Since I am away currently, my friends are conducting the classes. The girls are very smart and are keen to learn boxing. Three girls from the region have been selected for the junior nationals to be held in September. Also, parents are happy to send them for boxing classes and I’m sure, if given better training and guidance, they can fetch laurels for the country,” says Narmada.

Vijay Murali Mohan, president of Tamil Nadu Judo Association (TNJA), was instrumental in conducting the sub-junior judo championship in Vyasarpadi. “We want to create an awareness about judo and I know that the kids in Vysarpadi are supremely talented. We saw over 3,000 people coming over to watch the matches and the school children have shown great interest. We want every segment of the society, including the economically backward sections to seriously consider judo.”

Vijay adds, “By the month of September, we will be starting classes in three schools and two points inside the slums. The local councillor, Saravanan, and the area inspector Mohanraj have been supporting the locals in all the activities.

They believe that sport could be a path of social reform. Unless we get local support, we won’t be able to implement and execute any program. I am sure judo will help the children in all terms — as a sport, a self-defence technique, and a career opportunity.”

Known as Chennai’s Brazil, Vyasarpadi has contributed a lot of football champs to the nation. When siblings N. Thangaraj and N. Umapathi founded Slum Children Sports Talent Education Development Society (SCSTEDS), they didn’t realise their initiative could influence young talents. “When we started off, our main aim was to introduce children to the sport and bring reformation. We have succeeded to some extent by gifting a few football players to the state and national squads. With the local support, we are continuing our coaching and inspire the youngsters to reach the top,” says Thangaraj.

An IAS officer, who comes under the Chennai cadre, was instrumental in converting an old football ground to a grass turf in the Vysarpadi slum. On condition of anonymity, the officer says, “I get inspired by the spirit of the kids while playing football with them. Over the years, they have shown drastic improvement — not only in sports but academics as well. The children’s future is bright — just that things should be more systematic.”

Vijay is excited about organising classes in Vysarpadi and says that judo will motivate youngsters. He shares, “While organising judo championship in the slums, I understood that the parents are pretty interested in enrolling their children for various sports. Apart from giving them a career option, a sport can completely change a child’s mentality.  You need to create awareness and take a step by step approach. Going by the attitude of the children there, am sure our state can boast of many more sportsmen from the region.”