Over the years, India has produced some of the finest, record-breaking sports personalities this world has ever witnessed. Be it the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar to the reigning Olympic Champion in Javelin throw, Neeraj Chopra, India has been home to many great names from various sports.
Despite producing such dominant leaders in sports, physical education as a career is often neglected after schooling. While most of the students opt for a career in science and technology, very few students choose physical education compared to those.
Being the talent house of the world, India is also home to some of the most underrated and undiscovered sportspersons, coaches, physical educators, trainers, etc. The Government of India has rightly recognised this problem, and to uplift physical education and sports in the country, the prestigious Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education was founded on August 17, 1985. The college is the academic wing of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which is also affiliated with the University of Kerala.
LNCPE serves as a model institute for teacher training by offering its students UG, PG, research courses in Physical Education and Sports. The institute is named after the dauntless freedom fighter of the First War of Independence, the Queen of Jhansi Rani Lakshmibai. The college is located on the northern side of the University of Kerala, Kariavattom Campus, on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram on National Highway 47.
On a Mission of Visionary Future
The institute is on a mission to uplift physical education and sports in the country and has earned a special place as an ideal institute for teacher training. Besides the institute’s academic courses, the college also provides excellent facilities to prepare highly competent and skilled leaders in physical education and sports.
Over the years, the institute has become a centre of excellence for research in not only the field of physical education but also in the allied areas. With a team of nationally recognised physical educators, LNCPE is providing quality physical education on all three fronts of PE.
For a visionary future, the institute plans on providing vocational guidance and placement services to physical education graduates. Along with that, the National College constantly develops and promotes programs of mass physical activity, which helps the institute set a footprint on the track of development for physical education and sports in the country.
The Pacesetter and an Astute Leader
An institute that needs special attention demands an astute leader who sets the institute’s pace. Lakshimibai National College of Physical Education has got such a pacesetter in Dr G Kishore, the principal of the college.
Dr G Kishore has always been passionate about sports and physical education. After completing his M.Phil and PhD in physical education from LNIPE, Gwalior, he joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in 1986. He has also served the Government of Kerala as the Additional Director and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs. The Government of Kerala has rightly recognised his contribution and appointed him as the Secretary of the Kerala Sports Council.
Before taking up the role of principal at the LNIPE, Dr G. Kishore served as the Director (Pers.), SAI Head Office, NSEC, Calcutta, and NSSC, Bengaluru. Throughout his entire career, Dr G. Kishore has travelled to many countries on international assignments, which allowed him to bring hands-on experience to the table as the principal of LNCPE and set the pace for the students for a bright, healthy, and commanding future.
Apart from the Herd
Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education, Kariavattom, Trivandrum, is affiliated with the University of Kerala. Being a unique college, the courses provided by the college is also unique, which includes the required subjects along with the additional subjects that the students look forward to developing. The major courses provided by the college are:
- Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) – 2 years (Approved by NCTE)
- Master of Physical Education & Sports (MPES) – 2 years
- Master of Philosophy (Physical Education) MPhil (1 Year)
- PhD in Physical Education
Making the Physical Educators of Tomorrow
The worsening health condition and the delicate global situation have made people realise the importance of sports and fitness. With the young generation passionate about sports, the college provides the perfect atmosphere to grow and pursue a career in physical education.
The Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education courses provide students with a wide range of career choices. The graduates are often appointed as Physical Education Teachers in schools, whereas the post-graduates are appointed as Assistant Professors or Directors of Physical Education in Colleges and Universities.
Apart from these career options, many graduates from LNCPE have chosen to become a coach, team/sports managers, fitness instructors, athletic trainers, sports journalists, and even sports photographers. In the quest to train and strengthen fitness in the country, Trained Physical Education personnel are given preferences in Defence and Police Services with special recruitment drives.
Bridging the Gap between Academic and Physical Education
The Lakshmibai College of Physical Education has recognised the gap that has formed between physical education and academics. The college caters to the Gen-Z hands-down education training along with providing vocational guidance and placement to the students in the field. The institute has a state-of-the-art infrastructure with boarding and lodging facilities to develop and promote programs of mass physical education.
“The college is a hotspot of State and National level Coaching Camps as well as is a reputed centre for ongoing schemes of SAI. In addition to BPEd (2 years), MPES, PhD, the college also offers Post Graduate Diploma in Health and Fitness (1-year duration). As a constituent college of the Sports Authority of India, they also offer coaching diplomas in Rowing, Kayaking, and Canoeing,” said the college authorities.
Overcoming the Pandemic Challenge
LNCPE, being a college that depends on outdoor activities like track sports, gym, swimming pools, etc., was difficult for the college to find new ways to educate their students. “At the beginning of the pandemic, no doubt the challenges were huge. However, as of now, the institution is adapting well to the new forms and modes of educating students,” hinted Dr G Kishore.
“Learners seeking higher education have always considered online education as an alternative path, and the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the other hand, has motivated educators and students across SAI LNCPE to quickly adjust to virtual courses. The college has organised numerous online training programmes for PE teachers, community coaches, and athletes along with collaborations with worldwide organisations and entities dedicated to the advancement of physical education, sports, and related areas,” says the college management.
One of the most noteworthy contributions SAI LNCPE, Thiruvananthapuram made to the nation during the two long years of the pandemic is the Physical Education & Community Coaching Programme initiated by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India through Fit India and Khelo India project with SAI LNCPE playing the pivotal role in its planning and implementation. This is a 14 days 28 sessions online webinar programme targeted for Physical Education Teachers across India. Initiated in June 2020, and by April 2021, six batches were completed with a lot of enthusiasm. Due to the huge demand and success, the 7th batch resumed once again with full vigour from February 14, 2022. The uniqueness of the programme is that to date, 58 Indian and 58 international experts have been utilised as resource persons for the programme, with a total registered number of more than 40,000 physical education teachers across India participating. Another landmark experienced about the programme is the 6th batch specially designed for women teachers organised under dual Ministries of Women & Child Development and Youth Affairs &Sports, Government of India.
