Coaches scout for Punjab players after low turnout at Khelo India trials

In the wake of a lukewarm response to the inaugural trials for the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, coaches will now visit across Punjab to identify promising players to fill the remaining seats in boxing and athletics.

The two-day sports trials for the Khelo India recently concluded with a lower than expected turnout. Conducted for U-16 boys and girls, the trials covered three disciplines — hockey, boxing and athletics — and marked the first-ever selection process for the state’s only Khelo India Centre of Excellence.

The Tribune had earlier highlighted that participation figures remained less throughout the event.

The State Centre of Excellence has 15 seats each for boys and girls in all three disciplines. However, participation in boxing (boys and girls) and girls’ athletics was lower than the number of available seats, leaving some positions vacant.

Following the selection process, 12 girls and 22 boys (including seven standby players) were selected in hockey. In athletics, 14 boys and eight girls secured selection, while boxing saw seven boys and four girls make the cut. District Sports Officer Gurpreet Singh Bajwa said, “Coaches will visit several districts to identify talented athletes and fill the vacant seats. No decision has been made yet on whether trials will be conducted again. We will wait for the approval and proceed accordingly.”

Sources said one of the coaches had already visited Fazilka and Patiala as part of this initiative.

Officials and coaches attributed the low turnout to multiple factors. The District Sports Officer said trials for the Punjab Institute of Sports (PIS) and residential sports wings had already been conducted earlier and players got selected there. “Had the Khelo India trials been held in February or March, a greater number of players would have participated,” he said.

A senior coach, requesting anonymity, also cited less job opportunities through the sports quota system and the growing popularity of private sports academies as factors affecting participation.

Officials associated with Khelo India, however, expressed optimism. They said awareness about the facility would increase significantly in the coming years, leading to higher participation. The Khelo India State Centre of Excellence has already put in place a comprehensive support system, including a psychologist, nutritionist, physiotherapist, masseur, chief coaches and assistant coaches. Selected athletes will receive training, professional sports equipment, playing kits and full boarding and lodging facilities, ensuring holistic development and high-performance preparation.