Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], April 1 (ANI): Discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork are values learnt on the playground somewhat than from textbooks. With the idea that sports activities are important for the all-round growth of a person, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the District Level Sports School (DLSS) scheme throughout his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
According to an official launch issued by the Gujarat CMO, the scheme nurtures promising gamers by offering free training together with skilled sports activities coaching. At current, 39 District Level Sports Schools are operational throughout Gujarat, and over 12,000 gamers have benefited from the scheme to date.
The Sports Authority of Gujarat, underneath the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, launched the District Level Sports School (DLSS) Scheme in 2013-14 with the twin goal of sports activities coaching and college training.
Under the expertise identification course of, gamers are chosen in two classes: (1) Young Talent and (2) Proven Talent (gamers who’ve achieved success of their respective sport).
Selected gamers obtain free training, books and stationery, lodging, meals, a college uniform, a sports activities equipment, intensive coaching, and a stipend. Under the scheme, gamers are educated via a scientific strategy with consideration to health, method, dietary steering and harm prevention. The scheme has performed an essential function in making ready gamers from the state for nationwide and worldwide competitions.
During the final two years, DLSS gamers have received 3,444 medals in state-level competitions and 335 medals on the nationwide degree, whereas 4 gamers additionally participated in worldwide competitions and secured one bronze medal.
Elavenil Valarivan, who represents Gujarat in taking pictures and is an Arjuna Awardee, is a former DLSS athlete. She educated at Laxman Gyanpith School in Sanand, Ahmedabad, and immediately represents Gujarat at nationwide and world competitions.
Recalling her coaching at DLSS, she stated, ‘I educated at Laxman Gyanpith School in Sanand from 2014 to 2017, which helped form my journey as a shooter. The fashionable amenities, sports activities gear, knowledgeable teaching and vary setup there have been very useful. The DLSS scheme has been a turning level for my profession.’
Elavenil has received a gold medal on the 2025 Asian Championship, a bronze medal on the 2025 World Championship, a gold medal on the 2024 Rio de Janeiro World Cup and a silver medal on the 2024 Jakarta Asian Championship. She has additionally represented India on the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and the Paris Olympics 2024.
Opinaben Devjibhai Bhilar, a resident of Biliamba village in Dang district and a Kho Kho participant, is a former athlete of the DLSS. She received a gold medal on the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in India, a gold medal on the 56th Senior National Kho Kho Championship 2024 in Delhi and a silver medal on the first Janma Jayanti Khel Mahotsav Odisha 2023-24.
She additionally participated within the fifty fifth Senior National Kho Kho Championship 2023 in Maharashtra and the thirty seventh National Games Kho Kho Championship 2023 held in Goa.
Opinaben stated, ‘After collaborating in a state-level Kho Kho competitors, my trainer knowledgeable me concerning the DLSS scheme and together with his steering, I joined DLSS in 2014. Here, I acquired intensive coaching within the morning and night from knowledgeable coaches, after which I received the chance to coach on the Athletics Academy in Vadodara throughout 2015 and 2016.’
‘Because of schemes like DLSS of the state authorities, I progressed in Kho Kho and received the chance to achieve the World Cup. Today, I’m a coach in Panchmahal district and information promising gamers,’ she concluded. (ANI)