What began as two plots of farmland has mushroomed into a sporting opportunity for students at Virsoda Anupam Primary School in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. The school turned farmland available to local farmers into practice grounds and provided a space for young students to train and improve their athletic skills.
The initiative has come at the same time as a good run of sports achievements for the school. Between 2023 and 2026, Virsoda Anupam Primary School students won 138 medals at different competitions and levels. These medals are 56 gold, 40 silver, and 42 bronze, and indicate the range of success the students have achieved.
How Farmland Was Turned Into Sports Grounds
The school’s sporting journey started with the involvement of the local farming community. Two plots of farmland were levelled with the help of farmers and then converted into practice areas for students.
A school with limited resources had these spaces available and therefore students were able to train close to home. Rather than having extensive sporting infrastructure, the school and community made use of the land available around them to create areas where children could practise athletics and other sporting activities.
The development of practice grounds is at least as important in the school’s approach to sports. Students are encouraged to play sports and continue their education so that they can develop their interests outside the classroom.
The medal tally in 2023-2026 shows the results of the approach. With 56 gold, 40 silver, and 42 bronze medals, students have represented their school at different levels of competition.
Teachers Support Sports And Academics
The sports are being conducted along with education at Virsoda Anupam Primary School, not only as a separate activity but in cooperation with the students as a part of education. Teachers encourage students to focus on their studies, but also to learn to develop their abilities in sports and how to do so, and to hone their skills as well.
Jaydeep Rawal outlined the wide range of support provided by teachers. As he emphasized, students are taught to do well academically and learn computers and use the school library.
Rawal also spoke of his own goal of representing India through sports. His comments suggest that access to sports at the school has led students to think beyond local competitions and look beyond that to other things.
Ratika Jala spoke about the support she gets from the teachers when she encounters difficulties. She also mentioned the school facilities available for studying, playing, and having meals.
The combination of academic support and sporting support is a part of the school’s approach to student development.
School Students in Gujarat’s Virsoda Turn Farmland into Winning Playground#Gujarat #Mehsana #Virsoda #SchoolSports #YoungChampions #SportsSuccess #Education pic.twitter.com/ztlYUGTKO0
— ANI (@ANI) September 23, 2026
Virsoda School’s SGFI Achievement
The school's sporting record has also extended to competitions associated with the School Games Federation of India (SGFI). Principal Hashmukhbhai Chaudhari said Virsoda Anupam Primary School has held the first position in SGFI for three consecutive years.
Chaudhari said it is a result of education, encouragement, and motivation for students to participate in athletics. His students have represented the school and village at district, state, and local levels, he said.
The achievement is significant for a school in a rural setting because the sporting infrastructure has been developed with community participation. The use of local farmers to develop opportunities for young athletes is just one of the ways in which community resources can be utilized.
Students Also Make Academic Progress
The school's focus on sports has not come at the expense of academics. 54 students secured merit positions in the CET and Gyan Sadhana examinations, the school said.
The academic results add to the school’s development model. Students are encouraged to pursue sporting interests while continuing to focus on education, providing opportunities to build skills in many areas.
Virsoda Anupam Primary School’s story shows how rural schools can create sporting opportunities when they are able to make use of the resources and community support available. Two plots of farmland formerly used for farming have been turned into practice areas for children to train, compete, and develop their skills.
Between 2023 and 2026, the school's students won 138 medals in total (56 gold, 40 silver, and 42 bronze). In addition to such achievements, 54 students have received merit positions in important exams.
The transformation of farmland to a sports practice area has, therefore, turned farmland into more than an infrastructure project. It has provided students with a dedicated place for athletics and sports practice grounds to do so, and has brought together teachers, farmers, students, and the rest of the community to support young talent in a supportive environment.
