GD Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj launches sports arena

GD Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj, has launched a new sports facility, the GD Goenka Sports Arena, in collaboration with sports and event management company ITMagia and sports-tech firm Push Sports.

Located within the school’s expansive campus, the arena spans an acre and includes a range of advanced sports facilities. These include a FIFA-approved 9v9 artificial turf for football, four cricket pitches with bowling machines, padel and pickleball courts, an indoor setup for basketball and badminton, a heated swimming pool, and a volleyball court.

This state-of-the-art arena is designed to cater to 3,000 students, providing them with high-quality sports amenities to support their fitness and well-being. The facility will also be available for public use after school hours.

Director of GD Goenka Group, Nipun Goenka, highlighted the significance of this new sports arena, stating that it marks a pivotal step in promoting fitness and teamwork among students. He emphasised that the facility would nurture not only athletes but also well-rounded individuals prepared for success.

The grand opening of the GD Goenka Sports Arena was attended by notable personalities, including actor and TV host Rannvijay Singha and Abhinandan Sekhri, Co-Founder and CEO of Newslaundry.

Sekhri from Newslaundry emphasised the crucial role of sports in shaping a healthy society, stating that the partnership between schools and sports management companies is an excellent initiative.

He praised GD Goenka Public School for their focus on creating a space where children can learn teamwork, embrace differences, and grow emotionally through sports.

During the event, a friendly football match was held, where Goenka, Singha, Sekhri, and Hemant Sharma, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Legends Cup, joined students on the field to showcase their competitive spirit.

Arpit Gupta, Director & Co-Founder of ITMagia, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that by building sports infrastructure, they are paving the way for a brighter future for schools and children.

Similarly, Nitin Pahuja, Founder and CEO of Push Sports, expressed his delight at the collaboration, underscoring the transformative power of sports in youth development.

“The GD Goenka Sports Arena represents an essential step towards fostering a culture of sports and fitness in India, supporting the country’s broader initiatives like Khelo India and FIT India Movement, aimed at promoting sports and fitness at the grassroots level. This facility, with its top-notch amenities, is expected to inspire more widespread participation in sports and contribute to India’s growing reputation as a sporting powerhouse,” said Nipun Goenka.

Patriot spoke to Singha who expressed his appreciation and congratulated GD Goenka Public School, Vasant Kunj on their new sports arena.

About his experience of coming to GD Goenka, Rannvijay shared, “Going back to any school is awesome because you see the place where the future of our country is moulded and now more and more times I go to schools and universities, I see a lot of emphasis on sports. I always want to be part of an organisation where I could give back because I have got so much from my army background and sports that I feel like if I could be part of in any way, it will be awesome.”

He added, “I am very happy to be here as this doesn’t seem like a work day for me.”

About the importance of sports, Rannvijay said, “If you have seen me, you’d know that it is very difficult to pull me away from the field. I want to play everything — sports is the core of resilience building and core of camaraderie, team spirit, leading well, following well. A lot of things you learn from sports actually help you in many careers. It has also helped me in my journey, which wouldn’t be complete without sports. I am very happy to see that GD Goenka have coordinated with us. We will do some leagues in football, basketball and all the sports that need the push. Good to see so many kids out on the field on such a sunny day.”

The actor wants kids to explore their choice of sports and advised parents to let the kids pick their sport.

“Let kids explore their own interests and let them play whatever they want — whether it’s cricket, basketball, pickleball, or tennis. I am not saying that studies aren’t important — they are. But parents should allow their kids to explore what they enjoy and then guide them accordingly. Once parents see what their child is good at, whether it is academics or sports, they can help them develop that talent within their means.”

He also advised the kids there to take up sports.

“Remember, it’s not right to sit on the couch all day and insist on joining a sports academy or a club. You should show your parents that you’re willing to be active and play outdoors. It’s not just about joining academies; it’s about proving that you can stay active on your own. Being active is the first step toward exploring your interests.”