Sports Instructors
Think motivation and think Kabir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) in the movie Chak de India.
Still smarting from the wounds from a debacle seven years ago which had brought him disgrace and India a loss against Pakistan, Mr Motivation (Khan) scolds, applauds and mothers his indisciplined motley crew of hockey players to come together and give everything to winning a championship.
Motivation counts of course - but for a sports instructor or physical education (PE) teacher at a school, monitoring fitness levels of students and spotting talent are equally important. "They must be good motivators and instructors for all age levels; as well as learners," says MK Gulia, head of faculty (sports and activities), Lawrence School, Sanawar.
"One has to be regularly updated on the latest techniques in sports. A positive mindset, willingness to experiment, is very helpful for coaching. An instructor must also have the ability to diagnose and rectify the problems of the students or players. Have faith in your wards and in yourself. Good education and communication skills add colours to this result-oriented profession," he adds.
It also helps if the instructors have competed at national and international sports events.
Ajay Mark, head of the physical education/sports team at Mussoorie's Woodstock School, did his elementary schooling from Woodstock itself and then moved to the Wynberg Allen School where he excelled in sports. "I have a trunk full of certificates, medals and cups to testify," he exclaims. He was the best all-round sportsperson, fastest man in Mussoorie, division champion and inter school swimming champion. He has also roller skated from Mussoorie to Amritsar in ten days, breaking the previous Indian record from Mussoorie to Delhi.
Gulia has participated in the Subroto Cup, the national school games, youth championships (both north zone and all-India), the all-India inter universities championships and national championships.
Both Woodstock and Sanawar have excellent sporting facilities. The jewel in Woodstock's crown is the Win Mumby - a very well-equipped and world class gym, with basketball, squash, indoor soccer, volleyball and badminton courts. It also has a room with ‘climbing walls', a gymnastics room, table tennis facilities and a fitness room fitted with the latest equipment. The school has tennis courts, an excellent brand new outdoor swimming pool and a field for track and field events, hockey, soccer, and cricket.
