The National School Games, run by the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), give students a path from inter-school matches to national competition. Teams from Jammu & Kashmir qualify through district and state rounds, so preparation starts long before the national event.

Check the rules first

Each sport has its own age groups, eligibility rules and entry deadlines. Get the current circular from your district sports office or the Department of Youth Services and Sports early, and confirm which categories your students can enter.

Equipment checklist

Train with the same equipment you will compete with.

  • Athletics: starting blocks, relay batons, hurdles, and shots, discs and javelins in the correct weights for each age group.
  • Badminton: a court of 13.4 by 6.1 metres for doubles, a net at the correct height, rackets and feather shuttles for match practice.
  • Table tennis: a full-size table with enough room behind and to the sides for players to move.
  • Cricket: a turf mat or prepared pitch, bats in the right sizes, leather balls, and helmets, pads and gloves for every batter.

Keep spares of the items that wear out or break: balls, shuttles, nets and grips.

Safe practice areas

Check that floors are even and not slippery, that there are no sharp edges near the play area, and that lighting is good for early and late sessions. Outdoor grounds need to drain well after rain and snowmelt.

A training plan

Work back from the competition date. Spend the first weeks on skills and fitness, then move to match practice and event-specific work as the date nears. Run a mock competition two weeks out to find gaps in equipment, fitness or organisation while there is still time to fix them.

Logistics and paperwork

Keep entry forms, age proofs and consent letters ready and copied. Plan transport and accommodation for away rounds early, and give parents a printed schedule.

Where to buy

MDF Enterprises in Srinagar supplies athletics, badminton and table tennis and cricket equipment to schools across J&K, takes bulk and GeM orders and delivers to every district.