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Discipline, sportsmanship and teamwork are values learnt on the playground rather than from textbooks. With the belief that sports are essential for the all-round development of an individual, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the District Level Sports School (DLSS) scheme during his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat.
According to an official release issued by the Gujarat CMO, the scheme nurtures promising players by providing free education along with professional sports training. At present, 39 District Level Sports Schools are operational across Gujarat, and over 12,000 players have benefited from the scheme so far. The Sports Authority of Gujarat, under the Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities Department, launched the District Level Sports School (DLSS) Scheme in 2013-14 with the dual objective of sports training and school education. Under the talent identification process, players are selected in two categories: (1) Young Talent and (2) Proven Talent (players who have achieved success in their respective sport). Selected players receive free education, books and stationery, accommodation, food, a school uniform, a sports kit, intensive training, and a stipend. Under the scheme, players are trained through a scientific approach with attention to fitness, technique, dietary guidance and injury prevention. The scheme has played an important role in preparing players from the state for national and international competitions. During the last two years, DLSS players have won 3,444 medals in state-level competitions and 335 medals at the national level, while four players also participated in international competitions and secured one bronze medal. Elavenil Valarivan, who represents Gujarat in shooting and is an Arjuna Awardee, is a former DLSS athlete. She trained at Laxman Gyanpith School in Sanand, Ahmedabad, and today represents Gujarat at national and global competitions. Recalling her training at DLSS, she said, "I trained at Laxman Gyanpith School in Sanand from 2014 to 2017, which helped shape my journey as a shooter. The modern facilities, sports equipment, expert coaching and range setup there were very helpful. The DLSS scheme has been a turning point for my career." Elavenil has won a gold medal at the 2025 Asian Championship, a bronze medal at the 2025 World Championship, a gold medal at the 2024 Rio de Janeiro World Cup and a silver medal at the 2024 Jakarta Asian Championship. She has also represented India at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 and the Paris Olympics 2024. Opinaben Devjibhai Bhilar, a resident of Biliamba village in Dang district and a Kho Kho player, is a former athlete of the DLSS. She won a gold medal at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in India, a gold medal at the 56th Senior National Kho Kho Championship 2024 in Delhi and a silver medal at the first Janma Jayanti Khel Mahotsav Odisha 2023-24. She also participated in the 55th Senior National Kho Kho Championship 2023 in Maharashtra and the 37th National Games Kho Kho Championship 2023 held in Goa. Opinaben said, "After participating in a state-level Kho Kho competition, my teacher informed me about the DLSS scheme and with his guidance, I joined DLSS in 2014. Here, I received intensive training in the morning and evening from expert coaches, after which I got the opportunity to train at the Athletics Academy in Vadodara during 2015 and 2016." "Because of schemes like DLSS of the state government, I progressed in Kho Kho and got the opportunity to reach the World Cup. Today, I am a coach in Panchmahal district and guide promising players," she concluded. (ANI)
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