Spoken English classes for local sportspersons

RANCHI: The

sports department

is organizing spoken

English classes

for the state's sportspersons at

Hotwar

for the last ten days. "We thought of focusing on the

English skills

of the young sportspersons as they

feel inferior

while communicating with other participants from other states during national or international tournaments, particularly if it is held in southern states like Telangana or Kerala," said sports director Ranendra Kumar.

On being asked what made him think of the concept, Kumar said, "In the movie Chak De India, a Jharkhand girl failed to communicate in English. However, women hockey players residing in a day-boarding centre at Simdega have been educated by a social organization named Pratham and are quite fluent in English. We were inspired to adopt the same plan for all the day-boarding and residential centre for sportspersons."

Students attending the classes believe the lessons help them gain confidence. Sakhina Khatoon, a state-level shot-put player from Sahebganj, said, "We do not get to learn English in government schools. This kind of class is certainly beneficial."

Kamal Kumar, an athlete from Ramgarh who represented Jharkhand at the 61st School Games Federation of India last year, said, "We often hesitate to converse with athletes from other states in English. Language won't be a constraint for us anymore."


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