GET KIDS TO PLAY - powered by SportzVillage
In an era where screens dominate and children’s outdoor adventures are dwindling, “Get Kids to Play” seeks to reignite the joy of unstructured play that once defined childhood. Reflecting on a time when scraped knees and muddy clothes were badges of honor, hosts Vijay and Saumil delve into the pressing challenges modern parents face in balancing academics, technology, and free play. Building upon their acclaimed book, “Get Kids to Play!”, this podcast offers insightful discussions, expert interviews, and practical solutions to help families rediscover the magic of outdoor play. Join us each week as we champion a movement to reconnect children with sport, foster creativity and play, and promote holistic development for a brighter, healthier future.
GET KIDS TO PLAY - powered by SportzVillage
Play First, Medals Later
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What does it take to turn a childhood spent running barefoot around a stadium track into a lifelong mission for grassroots sport?
Join Vijay and Saumil on the Get Kids to Play podcast as Arjuna Award winner and former Olympic sprinter Ashwini Nachappa opens up about her early days in Bangalore athletics, the golden era of school sport, and what it takes — from Khelo India to a marathon in Coorg — to keep rural India's talent from slipping through the cracks.
0:00 – Introduction
1:10 – Barefoot running at Kanteerava Stadium
4:12 – The golden era of Bangalore school sport
8:04 – From athlete to administrator: how things have changed for young athletes
11:09 – Khelo India and rural India's untapped potential
12:18 – Inside the Coorg academy: wins and dropout challenges
14:31 – Building a sporting culture from scratch in Coorg
16:01 – The Coorg Marathon: from 600 to 3,500 runners
17:17 – Participation vs. competition
20:04 – Rethinking sport as health and education, not a gamble
23:20 – Closing advice for parents, schools, and stakeholders
About Ashwini Nachappa
https://kalschool.edu.in/leaders.php
About Get Kids to Play
https://sportzvillage.com/get-kids-to-play/