Sharing sports experience

``INDIA IS a fascinating place and we are delighted to be here. It is a pleasure to share our traditional sports with a country which is known for its diverse cultures. We hope the Indians also start celebrating as we do in the `Sports for all' programme back home,'' said Dr. Gerlinde Radde, who was the leader of the 22- member German delegate, invited for the German Festival in the country.

It was not only the Germans, who relished their outing but also the 1000-odd spectators in the Capital, who witnessed `Sports for all' as part of the German Festival, which was held for the first time in the country.

India had toured Germany in 1991-92 and it remained the only occasion when the two nations had organised a Sports Festival. After a gap of eight years, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reciprocated by hosting Germany.

And expectedly, the performance by the Europeans proved refreshing with `Sports for all' propagating the idea of friendliness and enjoyment with traditional games.

`Sports for all' is a unique programme in Germany, in which the natives of the country mingle with each other through a set of 16 community sports. ``Sports for all is a movement since 1971 in our country and with such regular celebrations, we have set an atmosphere for fun and fitness. We have close to 25 million people who actively participate and take a much-needed break from the stressful routine,'' says Gerlinde, who is also a member of the German Sports Confederation.

Apart from the modified forms of popular sports such as tennis, hockey, football and badminton, there are games like swing parachute, ring throwing, skiing and earthball games.

As the German contingent performed various exercises and skills in sports such as hockey and tennis, it elicited an enthusiastic response from the spectators, who were given a chance to enjoy light and attractive equipments.

``See, the kids and their parents have enjoyed so much. It is natural to evoke such feelings and you should organise such events,'' said Andre Pfetzner, an amateur hockey coach.

``India has managed some great results in hockey. One of the best ways to attract kids towards the sport is teaching them the dodging and hitting skills. We do it on tennis courts or basketball courts so that the youngsters are not exhausted and do not feel that the exercise is drab,'' says Pfetzner, who also mentioned the benefit of all conducting sports together. ``Not only, it keeps children interested, but also creates a lively atmosphere.''

For 43-year trampoline coach, Michael Hans Jorgen, `Sports for all' is a programme which he awaits eagerly. ``Irrespective of my mood, I wait for it everyday. I just love the atmosphere and I have made so many friends through it,'' says Essener-based Jorgen, who also mentioned that such events are conducted outdoors from October to March. ``From April, we shift to indoor halls. Though, space gets limited but children continue to enjoy themselves.''The youngest member of the contingent, 12-year old Stefan Entenmanm enthralled the crowd with his amazing acrobatic and stretching skills.

``I started at the age of six when my parents introduced me to it. I wait for acrobatic sessions. We do not need to go anywhere for picnic, we celebrate with so many people in Stuttgart,'' says Entenmanm.

``India also has traditional games and very useful exercises such as Yoga. With introduction in schools, it can surely leave an impact on children before spreading it to parks and grounds,'' said Gerlinde.

Citing an example, Gerlinde mentioned more than 20 people can take part in swing parachute with a sheet. ``When the sheet is kept in a canopy form in the air, throw a ball and try to catch with the sheet at a place where you are standing. Keep the ball circling around and it will be great fun.''

Such games and the training on how to organise the `Sports for all' event was imparted to teachers from the Capital in a two-day seminar. ``We had gone through the basics and theoretical classes. Now I am coordinating the event, so this way we can organise on our own,'' said M. S. Tyagi, who was one of the 64 teachers to receive the certificate from the German Sports Confederation.

``Nothing in these games may sound extraordinary but it can surely work wonders for everyone,'' said Tyagi, who was also the coach of the Indian kabaddi side which won the gold in the SAF Games in 1985.

As one of the parents, Dharmender Parekh of Border Security Force admitted, ``I am pleased to see the way my son enjoyed the games. In a way, it gives me an easy option to take my son out and also play with him,'' said an elated Parekh.

RITESH GUPTA

New Delhi

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