To give young athletes the opportunity to train under experienced coaches and structured programmes, 100 sports nurseries have been rolled out in Karnal district this year.

After trials that witnessed participation of more than 3,000 enthusiastic players, the nurseries, being run by coaches of Sports Department, private schools and panchayats are now set to nurture young talent in games ranging from kabaddi, cricket, cycling and volleyball to athletics and boxing. The authorities claimed that with the launch of 100 sports nurseries, Karnal has become a hub for nurturing future champions. Likewise earlier, the nurseries will create opportunities, discipline and dreams for thousands of aspiring sportspersons.

The budding sportspersons, armed with passion and guided by the coaches, are ready to script stories of success that may one day echo on national and international stages.

Out of the 100 nurseries, 30 will be run by the Sports Department coaches, while the rest will be managed by coaches from private schools, government schools and panchayats.

Compared to the last year, the district has got 16 additional nurseries, a sign of growing investment in sports at grassroots level. The increase in number, officials claimed, will help nurture more young talent.

“We are not just opening nurseries, we are opening doors to the future of sports across the district,” said Rajbir Ranga, District Sports Officer (DSO).

He said they will ensure both players and coaches received support. Sportspersons enrolled in the nurseries will get diet money, while coaches will be paid salaries by the department. “We will ensure that all sportspersons get diet money for proper nutrition, which is as important as training,” the DSO added.

He emphasised that coaches have been directed to maintain strict availability and open nurseries during fixed hours to maximise training opportunities.

The nurseries cover a wide range of disciplines, including wrestling, football, boxing, badminton, lawn tennis, basketball, hockey, cricket and other sports. Of the nurseries, 12 each are for volleyball and kabaddi, eight for athletics, two are for hockey.

The DSO believes the nurseries will not only identify talent but also instil discipline and teamwork among youngsters. This will ensure that opportunities remain open for those who miss selection narrowly.

“The idea is to create a pipeline of talent. From these nurseries, players can move to state and national level,” said Ranga. “We are confident that Karnal will soon produce athletes who shine at bigger stages.”

The starting of nurseries has sparked enthusiasm among young athletes, who see the facilities as a stepping stone to professional careers. Sportspersons have welcomed the move. “Sports is not just about medals, it is about building a character. The nurseries will keep our youth engaged in positive energy,” said a coach.

Deepak, a cricket enthusiast, said, “Playing at the nursery means structured training. Earlier, we used to play casually, but now we will have proper coaching and exposure.”

Aman, a budding boxer, said, “Nursery will give us the discipline and guidance we need to compete at higher levels.”