Retired Principal & now OTHL volunteer YS Negi teaching a subject at Dwarka school

We found in our long association with sports in schools program that mostly students who don't take enough interest in studies, come forward for taking up sports. In general, sports and studies are viewed separately by all - schools, teachers, students and espcially parents. Its a hard reality.

In OTHL, we foresee both education and sports can go hand in hand. We have been trying to prove this on field. We always therefore held out that studies are must to be a good hockey player.

We never compromised on this. We spent huge fortune in education, online one, during both waves of COVID-19. 

A tailoring session underway under the watchful eyes of a professional tailor

To further our mission, we impart school curriculam based eduction to all our stake holders. We are clear sports need not be practiced round the year, even for the elite. Our approach is 6-7 months for sports, and the academically intensive spells of, say September, January to March are totally devoted to education. We only advise them to practice on all Sunday in these spells, which actually help them regenerate their energies and take away the boredom of  unifocus preparation.

We just plan this way, but execute necessary sub-programs to see that they study well. Besides online classes, we encourage them to take of private tution for the subjects they find it difficult to get good marks and assessment. 

Providing scholarships (Rs. 1000 to 3000 per month) to select OTHL kids is one way to realize their educaitonal potential

The other way was to teach them directly by our volunteers, one or one and half our before the practice sessions. 

This approach worked satisfactorily. At least a study session per week is being conducted reguarly  in all our OTHL centres. 

Another day, another OTHL centre, another study session

Another area of our activity is imparting skills - stichting, usage of computer and videos. The last mentioned is to make interested ones for media jobs. 

We bought two sewing machines two years ago. Services of two tailors who can teach our girls stitching were acquired. Many girls took interest, and are being trianed. They can now stitch nickers, jerseys and skirts. This effort also fulfils one of our long felt need. We dont get small size jerserys, nickers and skirts for the sportspersons of age group we target. We get only medium and more sizes but not sizes we need (28,30,32 etc). These trainee girls could reduce our burden. May be in a year's time, we may be self sufficient to manufacturing our own kids. This is a long shot. 

Communication skills imparted in the sporting environment

Some of our volunteers took intest in teaching themselves. Himanshu, for instant, teaches basics of computer learning. Our mentor K Arumugam teaches English, both textual and contextual. Couple of tutors were hired for imparting science and mathmatics. 

Our kids are taking interest, which is a great sign 

We are looking forward to more and more volunteers to organize such classes, if not taking up, to include more and more group of boys and girls. 

Interested volunteers, retired women teachers and professionals may contact us at hockeycitizengroup@gmail.com