Ever since Deepa karmakar and Aruna Budda Reddy have shown their class in Gymnastics at the world level, many enthusiastic children have taken interest in this sports activity. But, not many of them are lucky to find this activity close to their house. When we talk about Mumbai, we had heard a lot about best Gymnastics training available at places like Samarth Vyayam Mandir, Shivaji Park and Sane Guruji Aarogya Mandir , Santacruz . But, not many in this crowded busy city are aware that 20 years ago Late Mr. Ramesh Prabhoo, Ex Mayor / MLA (Mumbai) founded a Sports Complex Prabodhankar Thackeray Kreeda Sankul ( PTKS) , which is managed by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Smarak Samiti for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
For the past 20 years, at this Sports Complex , we find a lot of development for the proper promotion of Sports and Mr. Arvind Prabhu son of late Ramesh Prabhu who is now Program Director has been carrying forward this good work at PTKS with his entire team of enthusiastic and dedicated sports lovers.
Rifle Shhoting area
Today, at PTKS you will find a huge Olympic size swimming pool with proper diving facility, an international standard Rifle Shooting Indoor hall, Place for Proper training for Gymnastics with all equipments, Training for Judo, Facility for Cricket net practice and Rink Hockey & Football, Well equipped Gymnasium, Sports Recovery Centre, Sauna Steam Room, a newly created Table Tennis hall to accommodate 12 tables and much more to be offered in due course of time.
Arwind Prabhu( Centre) with Yogesh Deasi(L) and Sameer Bhate(R)
When magzmumbai representative visited this place, Mr. Arvind Prabhu was busy with a function in their in built function hall to announce their forthcoming Indian Gymnastics league in December 2018. But, he immediately made himself available to speak about the club’s activity. “It is our goal to produce World Class Sportspersons at PTKS and for that we are doing our best. We have selected international Sports like Rifle Shooting, Gymnastics, Swimming, Diving and Judo and we will be focusing more on the development of the trainees by providing them best facility and training. In Judo we already have the best trainer Tapan Asher, who is a Musculoskeletal & Sports Physio Therapist and recently took part in the Commonwealth games. But, that does not mean that we will be neglecting other sports. Very recently, we provided bigger space for the game of Table Tennis , which can now accommodate 12 tables, which will be very good for organizing a big tournament. In December we will be hosting our 2nd State Ranking Veterans’ Table Tennis Tournament and for that our active member Mr. Samerer Bhate is working very hard.”
Tapan Asher( Centre) with his Judo trainees
Visiting each department and watching the activities in progress was more than a pleasure, as best arrangements have been done cater to the needs of sportspersons. The wash rooms and sauna Steam areas are clean with proper maintenance round the clock. Yogesh Desai, the current National Veterans Table Tennis Champion, who was present in the club, was all praise for this club. “ People managing this club are more concerned about the proper training facilities in different games, which is highly appreciated. After observing the demand for the game of Table Tennis, they offered larger space in the basement. Above all, Mr. Arvind Prabhu personally supervises all the activities. Best thing about him is that he is always available to help the members. Throughout the year, they plan various competitions in different sports to motivate the children,” he added.
Little children warming up for Gymnastics
There are future plans to expand the club with more sports activities, provided the BMC approves the same. ‘Where there is a will there is a way’. And, Arvind dada, as he is popularly addressed by the young members of this club, will surely make this club one of the best clubs in the city of Mumbai, especially when it comes to promote sports activity in a right way. We at magzmumbai call him a perfect Mumbaikar, who is really concerned about promotion of sports & culture in the Western Mumbai suburbs in a right way.
Skating training in progress
For the residents of Vile Parle and Andheri East, this is an ideal place to groom their little children in various sports activities which are available here. Memberships are offered periodically. Do visit this club to find how different sports activities are managed.
Address of the Club : Prabodhankar Thackeray Kreeda Sankul, Shahaji Raje Marg, Vile Parle( East), Mumbai- 400057.