“Students need a break from studies and we want them to engage in sports for relaxation after school hours,” said B Shafiullah.

By | Published: 7:19 pm 12:22 am

Hyderabad: Arrangements are being made to make the students of Minorities Residential Schools being set up by the Telangana government excel in sports too with focus for now being on indoor sports.

The State government has started 201 minority schools in the State with around half of the institutions exclusively for girls. While 71 were started last year, the remaining 121 schools became functional from this academic year. Around 50,000 children are studying in the residential schools. Initially, the schools will have classes’ fifth to eight and will later be upgraded till undergraduate level.

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The schools are now being housed in spacious buildings across the State as the exercise to identify lands and construct buildings is in progress. “Almost all the schools have playgrounds where regular sporting activities and drills are conducted. We want the students to be active and physically fit,” said B Shafiullah, Secretary Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS).

It is being planned to have an hour every day for indoor sports like chess, shuttle, carrom board, table tennis and other games at all the institutions. “Students need a break from studies and we want them to engage in sports for relaxation after school hours,” the official explained.

The TMREIS is planning to seek the advice of eminent sports personalities to help students excel in sports too. “We will also invite noted sportsmen and women to the institutions to motivate the students,” he said.

Plans are also afoot to hold a winter sports camp. “It will be a short camp and will be of international standard. Students will be taught various outdoor sports at big stadiums and grounds in the State,” Shafiullah said.

During summer vacation, the TMREIS had organised a summer camp for the students of 71 minority residential schools where they were encouraged to participate in both indoor and outdoor sporting activities. A large number of students had participated in the camp.