New Delhi hosted the second edition of first of its kind sports event ‘Sports Rehab – A Sports Convention’ at Thyagaraj Stadium, INA on the 18th  January 2017. Sports Rehab pulled off a show which was at par with most other sporting extravaganzas to have ensued this year.

Sports Rehab was the first attempt by its organisers, they would be taking it to every city and state of India. Sports Rehab announced the launch of  India’s first sports based incubator & accelerator. Sports Rehab will focus on following areas for development of sports under its sports incubator & accelerator.

WHAT ALL SPORTS REHAB WILL DO
• Talent Scouting
• Sports Workshops/Seminars/Tournaments
• Online Sports Journals
• Foreign Exchange Program

The day long extravaganza was attended by many Arjuna Awardees and Padmashree awardees, sports persons, PSU heads, key people from the various sports federations and schools and universities.

Rajpal Singh, Director, FICCI, said that setting the base and culture in sports is very necessary from the grassroots.

“Just like academics, and examination system, sports should be made part of the curriculum and getting marks in sports should also be made necessary rather than an extra curricular activity,” he said.

Adding to the same, Dr. DR Saini, Director DPS Society, said that as the private institution, we try to inculcate the sports culture in children by trying to maintain a balance between study and sports.

He added that there are not much players at school or university levels now days focus is only academics

“Physical education subject was started in 1983 in class 11th and 12th. There is no system or planning at place as such in many schools. There are very few players. Development of anything is from roots. Sports persons are sidelined,” he said.

Ajit Singh, Director Bisleri said that they are trying to support all sports to their best possibilities mentioning the importance of sponsorship and marketing in the sports sector.

“At the medium schools, we were forced to study subjects other than sports. Whenever we went to play in inter -state or university level sports competitions, we never got the desired facilities. We understand sponsorship can help to increase the facilities for players,” Singh said.

Sunil Raina, Business Head, Xolo Mobiles, said that the corporate sector are willing to spend and support other sports but there are no set guidelines under CSR.

“Any sport is not about technical aspect. Every sport requires passion and aspiration.We need to make people to come out and play the different sports. We need to create passion and aspiration for sports,” Raina said.

The theme of the convention was based on the following topics:
Session 1: Decline of Sports Journalism – Cricket above all other sports
Session 2: Roles of the National Federation in producing sports persons of excellence
Session 3: Development & Infrastructure of Sports at Grass Root Levels
Session 4: Sponsorship Woes in Sports Sector

Session 1 Panelists  
• Mr. Deepak Sharma, Founder Editor of India Samvad, Former Editor of Aaj Tak
• Mr. Vijay Kumar – Senior Sports Correspondent, Deshbandhu
• Mr. Vikrant Gupta – Sports Editor TV Today Network (Aaj Tak/ India Today)
• Mr. Vimal Kumar – Author & Sports Editor at Network 18 Group
• Mr. Vineet Malhotra – Executive Editor, Digital & Sports, Prime Time Debate Show Host, News World

Session 2 Panelists
• Mr. D R Choudhary, Secretary General, Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI)
• Mr PK Muralidharan Raja, President, Indian Boxing Council
• Mr. VD Narayan – General Secretary, All India Carrom Federation
• Wg Cdr Satish Aparajit (Retd), President, Indian Golf Union

Session 3 Panelists  
• Dr. DR Saini – Director, The Delhi Public School Society
• Dr. Gurdeep Singh – Joint Secretary (Sports) Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
• Mrs. Kulvinder Kaur – Principal, Guru Harkishan Public School, Tilak Nagar
• Dr. Surrender Kumar Bhandoria – Deputy Director at Education, SDMC
• Mr. Sanjay Gupta – Chairman, Ramagya School, Noida

Session 4 Panelists  
• Mr. Rajpal Singh – Director, FICCI
• Mr. RK Garg – Director, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd
• Mr. Sunil Raina – Business Head, Xolo Mobiles
• Mr. Sunny Katiyal – UP Dangal Owner, Pro Wrestling League,
• Mr. VK Mahendru – Group General Manager (Vigilance), ONGC

(Sports Rehab / Satan’s Paradise Press Release)