Rourkela: More than 1,200 youngsters have taken part in the 32nd Annual Summer Coaching Camp-2018, which is being organised by the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) here.

The participants will learn about athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, cricket, cycling, football, hockey, kabaddi, table tennis, volleyball, weight lifting and yoga from expert coaches at the camp.

The multi-location camp is being organised at the Biju Patnaik Hockey Stadium, Ispat Stadium, Ispat Basketball complex, Ispat Indoor Stadium and the Chess Hall of Ispat Stadium.

The camp was inaugurated by RSP CEO Ashwini Kumar on May 2 at Ispat Stadium in Sector-6. Lauding the sports department for the annual mega event for 32 years, Kumar said: "Nurturing talents from a young age is extremely vital in the field of sports. The camp acts as a great forum for identifying and grooming talents."

The CEO encouraged children to take advantage of the camp and learn the nuances of various sporting events. The camp will conclude on June 1.

"I learnt how to tap a ball and stop it. Without knowing the basics, how will I be able to be a good footballer?" said Suresh Murmu, a participant. His coach Keshab Pradhan said: "There are many like Suresh, who are enthusiastic about the camp and its activities. The parents are more keen than the participants.

"My daughter, who is in class IV, is here to learn chess and I accompany her for the training," said a mother.

Another parent said: "I am thankful to the RSP for the coaching camp as my son, who is interested in athletics, is learning it from P.N. Gantayat and P.K. Thakur."

The camp has helped to spot talents such as Rachita Panda Mistry and Anuradha Biswal in athletics. In Hockey, Birendra Lakra and Shiland Lakra, who recently represented India in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, and cricketers Natraj Behera, Alekha Barik and current captain Govind Poddar were also part of this camp.