Page 65 - Tata-Trusts-Annual-Report-2021-22

OF
Building a formidable sporting ecosystem
For 15-year-old H. Thazuala, getting selected to train at the
Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy (PGBA) in Hyderabad in
November 2021 was the culmination of years of hard work put
into learning and excelling at Badminton in his hometown in
Mizoram. Tapping into the enduring popularity of
Badminton—the second most played sport in India—the Tata
Trusts Badminton Initiative aims to build a formidable ecosystem
for the promotion of the sport.
Identifying untapped sporting talent at the grassroots level and
providing the required support in the form of more intensive
training under experienced coaches forms the bedrock of the
initiative. Training under the watchful eye of his father
H. Zohmangaiha, also a badminton coach, in his
home town of Chanmari West in Aizawl,
Thazuala showed potential from an early
age. His natural gift for the game was
noticed at the Aizawl Regional
Development Centre (RDC)—one of
the two set up in Mizoram by the
Trusts under the initiative.
The centre was instrumental in Thazuala’s
transition into a player with serious sporting
Thazuala in action at a Badminton tournament
in Mizoram
HOPE
aspirations from the young boy who was content with continuing
to play as an amateur. It helped him gain access to a focussed and
well-structured training and skill development programme, which
ultimately led to his selection at PGBA, considered a tremendous
training ground for professional badminton players in India,
preparing to compete at the national and international level.
Since joining the academy, Thazuala feels his sporting skills and
technique have shown considerable improvement. “It has also
taken my passion for the game to a whole new level,” says an
elated Thazuala. Having recently excelled in numerous
district, state, and national championships in the under-17
and junior categories, the budding player also managed to
maintain a good academic performance despite his
strenuous training and tournament schedule.
“I would encourage other parents to also ensure that their
children maintain a dual focus on sports and education. I am truly
indebted to Tata Trusts for their financial assistance and for
providing my son with the best training equipment and top
coaches, which has hugely impacted our lives,” says Thazuala’s
father and former coach.
10 REDUCED
INEQUALITIES
PROJECT ALIGNS WITH SDG
ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 58