It is a tremendous step in improving the sports infrastructure and nurturing sports talent in the state, and the government of Jharkhand has recently announced that they will establish Sports Science Centres in 4 state divisions. Another area the program will aim at is the provision of scientific and modern training support to the athletes to enhance superior performances and compete at a higher level. As the authorities at the state sports department put it, the proposed centres will be established in North Chotanagpur, Kolhan, Santal, and Palamu divisions. Currently, a High Performance Sports Centre has already been set up in Ranchi, which is under the South Chotanagpur division, with updated facilities. The new centres will make sure that a similar scientific support is provided to the athletes in other parts of Jharkhand.
The Sports Science Centres will be based on the scientific side of training as opposed to traditional coaching. They will include fitness assessment laboratories, strength and conditioning centres, physiotherapy and rehab centres, nutrition counselling centres, and performance analysis centres. The athletes will be thoroughly checked on a regular basis to detect their strengths, weaknesses, and risk of injuries to enable the experts to provide them with tailor-made training and recovery plans.
Sports officials are of the opinion that sports science is essential in the current competitive world, where even a minor increment can count. With the combination of technology with specialist advice in the development of athletes, the state believes that injuries can be minimized, endurance can be increased, and the overall performance outcomes can be improved.
It is projected that the initiative will help young and emerging athletes in the districts that did not have developed sports facilities in the past. Scientific information and professional guidance will also be made accessible to coaches and trainers to allow them to embrace contemporary training practices. The new centres are likely to work closely with schools, academies, and district sports associations.
Over the years, Jharkhand has produced a number of national and international calibre athletes, especially in such fields as athletics, hockey, archery and football. Nevertheless, the lack of sport science facilities has been a constant source of problems with rural and remote players. It is believed that the new centres would fill this gap and establish a more formal channel for identifying and developing talents. The shift is also in line with the greater vision of the state government in terms of encouraging sports culture, youth involvement in sports, and making Jharkhand a powerful competitor in the national sports events. The Sports Science Centres are likely to make a contribution to the future of sports in the state once they become fully operational.
