Private Sports Academies Make Mark in Kerala State Schools' Meet

Kochi, [Current Date] - The influence of private sports academies is becoming increasingly evident in the performance of athletes participating in the Kerala State Schools' Meet. Several schools from across the state have secured high medals due to their associations with these prestigious institutions.

At the recent meet, Madhava Vilasam High School (Thundathil) played a key role in securing Thiruvananthapuram's overall title triumph by bagging 146 points, despite not having its own swimming pool or aquatics coach. The school has a unique arrangement with the SAI-Glenmark Swimming Academy, which provides free training to selected kids from all over India. Most of the swimmers participating in the meet are students of this academy and have trained at MVHSS.

In athletics, Kuttamath Government High School excelled, securing all ten medals for Kasaragod (six gold, two silver, two bronze), thanks to the training provided by KC Throws Academy in Cheruvathoor. The academy's medal-winning students compete under the GHSS, Kuttamath's banner.

The story of VM HSS, Vadavanoor, which earned eight medals at the meet, highlights how private academies are making a difference despite being based in rural areas with limited training facilities. The school utilised the Palakkad medical college ground, where Olympic Athletic Academy conducts training, to prepare its athletes.

For Chaldean Syrian High School, Thrissur's Vijay Krishna, who won the junior boys' 110m hurdles, credits his six-month training stint at Alvas Ekalavya Sports Academy in Mangalore for his success. These private sports academies are becoming an integral part of Kerala's sporting landscape and continue to shape the state's athletes into formidable competitors.

The growing influence of private sports academies is a testament to their ability to produce high-quality athletes despite limited resources. As these academies continue to grow in number, there is little doubt that we will witness even more impressive performances from our young athletes at upcoming sporting events.