Enhancing Physical Education in India: ISSO Launches Upskill Program for Trainers

The International School Sports Organisation (ISSO) is set to launch a PE Educators Upskill Program aimed at enhancing the skills of physical education trainers across India. This initiative, in collaboration with the International School Federation and FIBA, seeks to address the lack of internationally aligned coaching frameworks in schools. Aakanksha Thapak, ISSO's director, emphasizes the importance of 'training the trainers' to improve athlete performance. The program reflects a broader shift in India's sports ecosystem, encouraging parents to support diverse sporting careers beyond cricket. With government initiatives and corporate support, the landscape for aspiring athletes is evolving, promising a brighter future for sports in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 26, 2026, 18:09 IST

Focus on Upskilling Physical Education Trainers

Aakanksha Thapak, the director of the International School Sports Organisation (ISSO), highlighted the importance of enhancing the skills of physical education trainers in Indian schools to improve sports performance. She discussed the evolving sports ecosystem in India over the past decade, which now encompasses more than just on-field activities.

Launch of PE Educators Upskill Program

In partnership with the International School Federation (ISF) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), ISSO is set to introduce a specialized PE Educators Upskill Program. This initiative, led by former national basketball coach Veselin Matic, will take place from May 25 to June 2 in the Delhi/NCR region. The program aims to tackle a significant challenge in Indian grassroots sports: the absence of coaching frameworks that align with international standards at the school level.

'Training the Trainer' Approach

Aakanksha elaborated on the program's focus, stating that ISSO has dedicated over ten years to advancing school sports. The new initiative emphasizes 'training the trainers.' She noted, "ISSO has consistently supported the school sports ecosystem. We realized that our efforts shouldn't end with tournaments; they must start with upskilling PE educators to meet international standards, thereby enhancing athlete performance. This led to discussions with ISF, which expressed interest in developing programs, including this pilot initiative with FIBA. The goal is to ensure that children receive the right foundation in sports, preventing them from missing out on international-level training. Training the trainer is fundamental to strengthening the Indian sports ecosystem."

Evolving Sports Landscape and Parental Perspectives

In India, many children engage in various sports such as basketball, football, hockey, tennis, badminton, and taekwondo at school, but often lose interest as they grow older. Aakanksha attributes this trend to intense competition among families, where parents prioritize financial success and often favor cricket over other sports. She explained, "The competitive environment leads parents to focus on careers that promise financial stability, often sidelining other sports. However, the landscape has shifted in the last decade, with numerous government initiatives boosting parental confidence in pursuing sports as a viable career option."

Broadening the Scope of Sports

Aakanksha emphasized that the sports ecosystem has expanded significantly beyond traditional playing fields. It now includes aspects like data analytics, psychology, physiology, and sports sciences. She remarked, "The changes over the past decade have opened up opportunities for those interested in various facets of sports, supported by government efforts and corporate CSR initiatives. Parental confidence in sports has notably increased."

Evaluating Indian Sporting Talent

As the director of ISSO, Aakanksha shared her insights on Indian sporting talent, noting that while the country excels in sports requiring mental acuity, there is a need for improvement in stamina-based sports. She stated, "India has shown great potential in sports like chess, fencing, and shooting, which demand concentration. However, we must enhance our performance in stamina-intensive sports. Racket sports are also on the rise, indicating progress in this area."