NEW DELHI: In an effort to help amateur coaches, school trainers and Physical Education (PE) teachers to improve their skills and get certified from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Akhilesh Das Gupta launched a school programme - Shuttle Time India-- here on Saturday.
With this programme, the participants are provided valuable insights and techniques by BWF coaches alongwith teacher's manual, lesson plans and a range of instructional video clips.
Speaking on the occasion, BAI President and Badminton Asia Confederation Vice-President Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta said: "Badminton is on the rise in India and it is slowly gaining the popularity that was long overdue. This programme will surely popularise the sport in this country and will increase the badminton participation in youngsters."
"PE Teachers and local coaches are the first ones who train future stars. At this level, young shuttlers must get right coaching at a right time. The programme will help PE teachers and coaches to learn the 'how-to' teach badminton to children and youth at grassroots level," he added.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) Director-General Injeti Srinivas said: "Badminton Association of India has been working very pro-actively to promote the sport at all levels. Shuttle Time India is another effort from BAI to train Coaches and PE teachers at various schools, who will then nurture young talents at grassroots level."
"India has over 1.3 million schools and if each school has at least one PE Teacher who is expert in one sport, then we collectively can unearth more talents and foster young crops at a very initial stage," he added.