On Wednesday morning, the father of Delhi’s Education Revolution, Manish Sisodia, and Delhi Chief Minister Atishi visited Delhi Government’s Delhi Sports School in Civil Lines and interacted with the students.
Upon arrival, the students warmly welcomed Manish Sisodia and CM Atishi with traditional tilak. Both leaders then joined the students for breakfast in the dining hall, discussing the school’s facilities, training programs, nutrition, and students’ preparation for sports competitions. They also toured various sports facilities within the school, meeting athletes involved in table tennis, archery, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, and swimming.
In a heartfelt conversation, students shared their experiences with Manish Sisodia and CM Atishi, saying, “Back home, our dream was to excel in our sport to secure a job. However, after joining this school, our ambitions have evolved—we now dream of winning Olympic gold for our country.”
Another student shared, “Before joining this school, the limited training and facilities available to us meant we only aimed for state-level competitions. But now, with the support and training here, we are competing nationally and soon aim to bring medals for India on an international level.”
Manish Sisodia, deeply moved by the interaction, remarked, “The idea of a sports school was once a dream for me. Witnessing this dream come to life is an emotional moment.”
Reflecting on the journey, he shared, “Once, this was just an old building. Now, it’s a world-class sports school beyond what anyone could have imagined.”
Manish Sisodia noted, “India has one of the most hardworking populations, fertile lands, and is rich in resources. Yet, questions remain as to why India lags behind in the medal tally at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.”
He emphasized, “Delhi Sports School is the answer to that question. Only through initiatives like this—providing early, high-quality training and facilities to athletes—can we achieve international medals. There’s no other way.”
Sharing a personal story, Manish Sisodia recounted, “In 2015, shortly after becoming Education Minister, I met a national-level athlete who said he wouldn’t be able to complete his graduation as he needed to focus on his sport. However, he worried that if he didn’t win an international medal, he would struggle to secure a job without a degree.”
To address such concerns, he explained, “We envisioned a school and university in Delhi where playing is studying, where there’s no pressure to score high in academics but where success is measured by athletic performance.”
Manish Sisodia expressed gratitude to Arvind Kejriwal, who helped turn this vision into reality, and praised the leadership of Karnam Malleswari, who played a key role in establishing the school.
He noted, “In large sports academies, children often come from similar economic backgrounds. But at our school, children from diverse backgrounds—daughters of housekeepers, children of government officials, teachers, and auto drivers—all learn and train together, creating a unique model.”
He recalled, “In 2015, the idea of creating a university or school prioritizing sports over academics seemed laughable, as people couldn’t imagine education without exams. But we’ve proved it’s possible. Now, you, the students, must work hard and make India proud on the international stage.”
Chief Minister Atishi emphasized, “Traditionally, academics and sports have been viewed separately, which is why, despite our large population, India ranks low on the Olympic medal tally. Delhi Government is changing that mindset.”
She continued, “Through Delhi Sports University and Delhi Sports School, we are creating an environment where athletes’ sport is their education. Soon, everyone will recognize that sports and academics are not mutually exclusive.”
CM Atishi highlighted Arvind Kejriwal’s vision for Delhi as the sports capital of India, stating, “We are preparing children for sports from a young age and providing them with the finest training so they can win Olympic medals for India.”
Sharing snippets on her X (erstwhile Twitter) handle, CM Atishi shared, “Met with our future Olympians at Delhi Sports School along with the founder of Delhi’s Education Revolution, Manish Sisodia. In this unique school where ‘sports is education,’ talent from across the country receives world-class training, coaching, and facilities in 10 Olympic sports. With the dedication and passion of these young athletes, the day is not far when India will top the Olympic medal tally, making the entire nation proud.”
About Delhi Sports School
The Delhi Sports School, a residential institution, selects talented young athletes for Grades 6 and 9 from across India through talent scouting. Once enrolled, students receive top-notch training and facilities across 10 Olympic sports.
This fully residential co-ed school provides separate hostel facilities for boys and girls. Students receive training and resources for 10 selected Olympic sports: archery, athletics, badminton, shooting, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, swimming, table tennis, and lawn tennis. The school’s goal is to create champions through a specialized sports-integrated curriculum focused on their overall development.
World-Class Coaching for International Competitions
Delhi Sports School provides students with guidance from international-level coaches. Alongside academic performance, students’ sports training and progress are continuously evaluated. Coaches are selected from former international athletes and expert trainers to provide world-class coaching. Additionally, the school features a Sports Science Center and Athlete Monitoring System to scientifically enhance students’ athletic performance.
Highlights of Delhi Sports School
- Auditorium
- Sports Science Lab
- IT Center Room
- Table Tennis Court
- Swimming Pool
- Multiple Sports Training Blocks for wrestling, boxing, and shooting (under construction)
- Hostel Mess
- Multipurpose/Reading Room
- Academic Block
- Weightlifting Hall
- Archery Court
- Warm-Up Track
- Four-Story Hostel (Separate for boys and girls, capacity 200+ each)
