Bangalore University of Physical Education look towards including trekking as a sport

At Indiahikes, we have always fretted about the fact that school curriculums in our country don't involve trekking as a sport.

So we were incredibly happy when Dr. P.C.Krishnaswamy, Principal and Chairman, UGC-HRDC Course Co-Ordinator for the University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University, invited Izzat Yaganagi, Head of Experiential Learning at Indiahikes to conduct a workshop on trekking for the benefit of Teacher Educators in Karnataka. 

There were 22 Physical Education Directors from across Karnataka attending this workshop. These are the exact members who can make a difference in physical education by introducing trekking as a sport that impacts the mind, body, and spirit.

“It was the first time many of the professors saw trekking from this perspective,” Izzat shared. “They were impressed by how the transformation happens, how trekking brings out the virtues and values,” she added.

For an immersive experience, Izzat took all the participants on an impromptu experiential learning outing within the Bangalore University Campus.

“The campus had many elements like the forest, a small lotus pond, a temple, boulders, and even fields. We used these elements to conduct a scavenger hunt in nature, interacting with the various elements. We held a session on reflections in the forest. It was quite impactful because professors practically saw the benefit of going out in nature,” says Izzat.

This is the first small step towards including trekking as a sport in the mainstream curriculum in our country.