The Punjab Government is facing growing calls to revive summer sports coaching camps after the suspension of programmes that for decades helped young athletes hone their skills during school holidays.
Sports experts and coaches have warned that the discontinuation of these camps could undermine efforts to improve sporting standards in the state and deprive children of valuable opportunities for physical, social and personal development.
India has produced several notable performances on the international stage in recent years. However, despite these successes, the country remains some distance from being recognised as a global sporting powerhouse on par with nations such as the United States, China and Japan. Experts argue that one of the key reasons is the weakness of grassroots sporting structures, particularly in schools, which form the foundation of athletic development.
Unlike the university sports system in the United States, which nurtures and supports elite athletes, many Indian sportsmen and women prioritise securing employment. Once employed, sporting careers often take a back seat, limiting the country’s ability to produce world-class talent consistently.
The issue has been compounded by the apparent lack of interest shown by both the Punjab Sports Department and the Education Department in organising summer coaching camps, which were once a regular feature of school holidays.
Traditionally, young athletes were sent to training centres in hill stations such as Manali, Sundernagar and Shilaru in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, where they received specialised coaching and developed new skills in a cooler environment.
Officials have stated that the camps have been put on hold because of extreme heatwave conditions. However, critics argue that this reasoning is flawed, noting that the camps were originally designed to allow children to escape the intense summer heat while continuing their training in more favourable climatic conditions.
“The state has experienced heatwaves for decades. Summer coaching camps were never cancelled in the past,” said Dr Jatinder Sabi, a sports journalist. “These camps helped children improve their athletic abilities, build confidence, remain physically active and learn valuable life skills. They also provided a safe and structured environment where participants could make new friends and develop teamwork.”
Dr Sabi added that, in the absence of such programmes, many children are spending excessive amounts of time on mobile phones rather than engaging in productive physical activities.
The suspension of the camps also appears to contradict the government’s wider efforts to promote sport among young people. The state has repeatedly highlighted plans to develop 3,000 stadiums and playgrounds across Punjab as part of its campaign to steer youngsters away from drug abuse.
While sports infrastructure development is widely welcomed, coaches argue that facilities alone are not enough. Without organised sporting activities and coaching programmes, many young athletes may struggle to remain engaged.
“The children are the ones who suffer when these camps are not held,” said coach Amarjit Shastri. “They miss out on regular exercise, opportunities to learn discipline and teamwork, and the chance to develop important social skills. Camps taught children to share, work together and respect rules.”
Experts also warn that reduced physical activity could contribute to a range of health problems. Regular participation in sport helps children channel their energy positively, manage stress and improve both physical and mental wellbeing.
Coaches and sports administrators are now urging the Punjab Government to reconsider its decision and ensure that summer coaching camps are reinstated. They argue that if the programmes continue to be neglected, it will be young athletes who ultimately pay the price.
