The movement to nudge children to swap their digital screens for sports and active games has gained significant traction across Telangana, including rural and tribal belts like the erstwhile Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool regions. Driven by a collaborative push between Non-Resident Indian (NRI) groups, non-profits, and the state government, the initiative focuses heavily on introducing strategic and physical sports to state-run campus settings.
A central highlight of this movement is the statewide rollout of grassroots programs by organizations like the Chess Network. Supported by the Telangana School Education Department and Samagra Shiksha, the initiative integrates chess into the co-curricular fabric of Telangana Model Schools, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs), and government schools. By supplying free chessboards, training physical education teachers (PETs), and running structured campus camps, the program aims to curb screen addiction, improve cognitive focus, and foster healthy, competitive habits among rural students.
Complementing indoor strategic games, block-level physical sports tournaments are being heavily utilized to draw youth outdoors. Events organized under the state’s CM’s Cup and managed by the District Youth Sports Department bring students together in regional hubs like Kalwakurthy, Achampet, and Nagarkurnool proper. These tournaments offer structured platforms for popular team sports like Kabaddi, Volleyball, Kho-Kho, and Athletics, effectively bridging the gap between rural talent and higher-tier district representation.