Sports Teachers Burdened with Non-Sports Duties, Athletes Suffer in Pimpri-Chinchwad

Pimpri-Chinchwad | Correspondent | Concerns are mounting in Pimpri-Chinchwad over the growing burden of non-sports responsibilities on sports teachers, which is adversely affecting the development of budding athletes. BJP Sports Cell City President Arun Padule has strongly urged the civic administration to immediately relieve sports teachers from election-related and other administrative duties.

A formal representation was submitted to Municipal Commissioner Dr. Vijay Suryavanshi in this regard. The delegation included corporator Kundan Gaikwad, corporator Yogita Nagargoje, and social activist Sachin Sanap.

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Pimpri-Chinchwad, widely recognized as an industrial hub, aspires to establish itself as a prominent “Sports City.” However, this vision is facing a major setback as sports teachers—who play a crucial role in nurturing talent—are increasingly engaged in election work and administrative tasks. As a result, their presence on the field has significantly reduced, depriving young athletes of proper training, mentorship, and skill development.

Highlighting the issue, Padule emphasized that the current situation is not only affecting the quality of sports education but also limiting the city’s potential to produce national and international-level athletes. He called on the administration to take immediate corrective steps by freeing sports teachers from non-sports duties and initiating recruitment drives to appoint additional sports instructors in municipal schools, considering the city’s growing population.

“Sports teachers are not just educators; they are the architects of future champions. Engaging them in non-sports work is equivalent to compromising the dreams of aspiring athletes. If we truly want Pimpri-Chinchwad to emerge as a ‘Sports City,’ it is imperative to bring sports teachers back to the playground,” Padule stated.

The demand has sparked a broader discussion on prioritizing sports development and ensuring that institutional support systems are aligned with the city’s long-term vision of excellence in athletics.