The Bombay City District Amateur Athletic Association (BCDAAA) have decided to give athletics an extra boost by putting into practice International Association of Athletics Federation's IAAF Kids Athletics programme .

The international athletic body has implemented the IAAF Kids Athletics programme in schools worldwide and now under the guidance of international marathon runner Savio D'Souza, national sprinter Govind Dangi and Olympian Rachita Mistry, the BCDAAA have decide to set up training modules.

Rachita (left) and Homiyar Mistry (right) training students under the Kids' Athletics programme at the St Xavier's School yesterday

Teamwork
Before this initiative, young city athletes did not receive inputs from international competitors. Many participate without any prior involvement in this sport.

The IAAF programme takes into account teamwork in an individual sport and changes the concept of training young athletes.

All sprinting and running events are run in the relay format or team race formats. Thus every individual's contribution to the team matters and reinforces the concept of participation rather than competing.

The training for kids' athletics will be conducted under the leadership of Mistry along with a team of National Institute of Sports coaches. "We are organising three-day programmes in as many schools as possible. Trying to create awareness about athletics, since most of the children are focused on playing cricket and football."
Mistry said.

Specially-developed equipment required for the success of the programme is provided by IAAF.u00a0 Equipment like foam javelin, rubber discus, PVC medicine ball, agility hurdles, slalom poles, hoops etc are safe for kids and could be set up or dismantled quickly.

Rachita (left) and Homiyar Mistry (right) training students under the Kids' Athletics programme at the St Xavier's School yesterday