Madhya Pradesh has produced several notable sports personalities, including the para-shooter, Rubina Francis and the para-judo athlete, Kapil Parmar, both of whom were felicitated with the prestigious Arjuna Award earlier this year.
The state is emerging fast as India’s sports hub backed by government funds and advanced facilities. At the heart of this transformation is its capital city of Bhopal, which is witnessing remarkable development in this area. A planned government investment of approximately INR 1300 crores for a state-of-the-art integrated sports complex underscores the city’s rising prominence as a major destination for sports excellence in the country.
Alongside government initiatives, a new chapter in the sports landscape is about to begin in Bhopal with the coming of Shrewsbury International School India. Set to launch/commence its maiden session in August this year, the first Indian campus of Shrewsbury School UK will redefine how teenagers between ages 11-18 experience sports.
In contrast to many boarding schools in India that offer a limited range of sports, Shrewsbury International School India will provide a diverse selection of 20+ indoor and outdoor sports facilities, ensuring that students find an activity they enjoy doing and also excel in. In addition to offering traditional activities such as football, cricket, tennis and rugby, the 150-acre campus will feature a 40,000 square feet Aquatic Complex – home to India’s first dedicated indoor rowing and scuba diving learning facility, alongside an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Nestled within the campus, its expansive cricket ground has been named the official home base of the Bhopal Leopards franchise, one of the official teams of the Madhya Pradesh Scindia Cup. Boasting seven centre wickets alongside four practice wickets and floodlights for evening training sessions, Shrewsbury’s top-tier cricket infrastructure underscores the school’s steadfast commitment to sporting excellence.
The school also includes a capacious indoor sports complex with advanced facilities for fencing, shooting, wall-climbing, gymnastics, squash and badminton courts among others.
“Sports play a key role in a student’s holistic growth, helping them build skills like discipline, resilience and teamwork – that are crucial for success in today’s world. They form an integral part of a pupil’s daily life at Shrewsbury International School India. With expert coaching and excellent resources, our team at Shrewsbury will make sure that every child is encouraged to pursue what they love and grow into confident, well-rounded individuals,” remarks Oliver Russell, Deputy Head – School and Strategy Development at Shrewsbury International School India.
The emphasis on sports at Shrewsbury aligns perfectly with its educational philosophy of delivering whole-person education. Every learning aspect at the school is centered towards promoting its six Salopian Virtues of Wisdom, Kindness, Courage, Integrity, Self-Mastery and Spirit, with sports serving as a prime example of the same.
“Success in sports takes years of dedication, discipline and more importantly, consistent training. I am honoured to be the Sports Ambassador for a school that provides world-class sports infrastructure and dedicated support tailored for each student. I look forward to seeing Shrewsbury’s young athletes grow into confident leaders, both on the field and beyond,” says Rahul Batham, Under-19 Cricket World Cup player and the Sports Ambassador at Shrewsbury International School India.
India’s sports achievements are steadily gaining momentum at the global front, and institutions like Shrewsbury promise to sustain the same. By offering cutting edge facilities within a value-driven curriculum focussed upon developing the whole-person, the school reinforces the idea that sport is more than competition – it is a powerful catalyst for personal growth and communal pride. As Shrewsbury’s pioneering approach takes root in Bhopal, it promises to reignite India’s sporting spirit and inspire a new generation for success.
