Teaching students to care for their bodies through balanced nutrition and regular activity is becoming increasingly important as childhood obesity rates rise and screen time slowly replaces play time. This is where PE teachers come in, helping growing children improve coordination, learn teamwork, cultivate a love of physical activity and develop good hygiene habits. Trained PE teachers play an important role in motivating older students towards actively participating in sports, and ensuring their good health and nutrition. While there are 1000s of institutes offering education across the streams of engineering, medical, law and others, as a country that is under-represented in the field of sports, Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) comes out as a unique institution with a unique mission and vision.
Established by the Government of India, on 17th August, 1985, Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education has been providing excellent facilities for the upliftment of Physical Education and sports in the country, while also serving as a model institute of teacher-training by offering UG, PG and doctoral studies. Situated in Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), the College bears the name of Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, the dauntless heroine of the First War of Independence. Acting as the academic wing of Sports Authority of India (SAI) since 1985, LNCPE carries a strong responsibility on its shoulders, by broadening the skill sets and experiences of everyone present on campus.
Affiliated to the University of Kerala, besides the academic programmes the College also has centers of excellence, sports training schemes of SAI in few disciplines. The scenic location of the College amidst coconut and cashew plantations produces a soothing effect on the human body, mind and spirit. Being a home for 9 sports science departments with one of the best sport science labs in the country that prioritizes research and innovation, Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education is a center of excellence for research in Physical Education and its allied areas. “Being a reputed national level Physical Education College, Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education keeps pace with the latest developments happening globally in the fields of Physical Education, Sports, allied subjects and works towards offering the most up-to-date learning environment for all”, shared – Dr. G Kishore, the Principal of the College.
A True Center of Excellence
Having achieved several milestones so far, all thanks to the band of onboard teachers, LNCPE is known for being a hub of quality teaching and research, adapting new age and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Also, with a clear objective of preparing highly competent and skilled leaders, teachers, coaches, scholars to develop confidence in the competitive world anytime and anywhere, the College operates for a larger purpose to build a deeper, broader understanding of PE and its allied areas. Therefore, to facilitate this, most of the faculty members in the college are PhD degree holders with various expertises in field research and teaching experience, who impart a teaching-learning process that is completely student-centered. Adding a point on how well-equipped the faculty members of LNCPE are towards their goal, Dr. Kishore added – “Carrying forward a strong sense of team spirit, every faculty member of LNCPE plays a vital role in the upbringing of students, which is a major strength of the college”. Dr. Kishore continued – “Apart from teaching duties, faculty members are able to mentor students and supervise their projects, hold and attend workshops and seminars, and work rigorously towards curating a curriculum well in-sync with the market trends and demands”.
Home to an elaborate state-of-the-art campus built on an area of 50 acres, all the students get the best of it kinds, be it the best standard fields, training halls, techno gyms, swimming pools and sports science equipment which helps them to focus on research and innovation. Thus, in association with SAI, SAI-LNCPE is involved in providing higher education in Physical Education, and the LNCPE has trained over 75,000 Physical Education teachers and community Coaches through Khelo India E Pathshala PE and community coaching, with all its efforts to stay in touch with the outside world. In addition, LNCPE provides NIS Diploma in water sports, six week certificate course, coaching camp for state/national training, Certification program run by the Federation, refresher courses for in-service teachers, pay and play schemes, and many more. Regardless of the scenario outside, SAI-LNCPE plans to stay ahead of its competitors across Kerala and India in terms of quality education. SAI-LNCPE also offers PhD courses besides both regular Post Graduate Degree course (MPES) and Teachers Education course (BPEd 4 Yr Innovative programme).
The well-preparedness and the vigor to work irrespective of what’s going on in the world outside, led SAI-LNCPE to overcome the hurdles which came along with the pandemic and quickly get adjusted to the virtual environments. During this difficult time, online training programs for PE teachers, community coaches, athletes, were being carried out effectively, continuing on their mission of fulfilling the ever-growing demands of excellent PE teachers and coaches. Moreover, this phase resulted in LNCPE hosting numerous online programmes for PE teachers, community coaches, and athletes in collaboration with worldwide organizations and entities dedicated to the advancement of physical education, sports, and related areas.
All in all, by giving back to society administrators in the field of physical education, sports and games as well as associated areas, who serve as academic leaders to other institutions across the length and breadth of our country, LNCPE is one of a kind institution that bridges the gap between academics and physical education. Not only does Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education cater to the gen-z hands down, it also provides vocational guidance and placement services to the people in the field, by developing and promoting programmes of mass physical education activity with a state-of-the-art infrastructure, boarding and lodging facilities. Lastly, it is a hotspot of State and National level Coaching Camps as well and reputed center for ongoing schemes of SAI.
Dr. G Kishore – Principal
A native of Pandalam, Kerala, Dr Kishore did his Post-graduation, M.Phil and PhD in Physical Education in LNIPE, Gwalior. Subsequently, he joined Sports Authority of India in 1986, and since then, he has served the Government of Kerala as the Additional Director and Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Kerala and Secretary, Kerala Sports Council in different tenures on deputation from SAI. Dr Kishore also served as the Director (Pers.), SAI Head Office, NSEC, Calcutta and NSSC, Bangalore. Dr G. Kishore assumed charge as Principal, SAI, LNCPE, Trivandrum in 2011. A recipient of several recognitions and awards, Dr Kishore has travelled many countries on international assignments, and thus, brings all his experience on to the table of LNCPE, motivating every individual present on the campus towards a success filled future ahead of them.
