Dubai-based physical education teacher wins top Indian award

A Dubai-based sports education teacher has bagged a top Indian award for the best physical education teacher.
Boban Chacko, head of physical education department at JSS International School, Dubai, is one among the first Indians in the UAE to be conferred with the Dr GP Gautham National award for the Best Physical Education Teacher.
The 38-year-old teacher won the prestigious prize under the category 'Best Physical Education Teacher - Indian national serving abroad'.
Chacko received the prize from Manoj Tiwari, a member of Indian parliament, during the third edition of Physical Education Foundation of India Awards (PEFI) on Friday at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
Speaking to Khaleej Times a day after winning the award, an ecstatic Chacko said: "I didn't expect to win the award. To be chosen among so many highly-qualified teachers from different parts of the world is an honour. I feel proud, and I could've accomplished this with the support from my students, my school, and parents. Without the PE facilities in my school, I would not have achieved this honour."
14th year in sport education
Chacko has been living and teaching sports to students in the UAE for 10 years, and heading the sports department at JSS International School since 2009.
"However, I've been in the field of sports education since 2005. This is my 14th year in sport," he added. 
Chacko's specialities include athletics, football and badminton. He completed his Masters in Economics at the SD College in Alappuzha Kerala and completed his physical education training from Kannur University. The award-winning teacher has many national medals in his kitty. The JSS school management and students showered praise on the teacher who has bought great laurels for the school.
Lata Nakra, principal of JSS International School, said: "Besides being an experienced PE teacher, Chacko is also an inspiring leader, and with his team, he has brought many laurels to the school with his effective training programmes."
Chacko has also made waves in international sports as he qualified level 1 at the International Association of Athletic Federation (IAAF) in 2018 and he also trained level 1 at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) in June 2017. He is also a level one coach with the International Cricket Council and the inter-college Badminton competition.
Chacko, who ardently believes students need physical activity, said; "I've also set up a recreational facility for parents of JSS School so that they impart the same importance to their children," he added.
Speaking about his daily fitness routine, Chacko said that he hits the gym four times a week and plays badminton thrice a week.
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai

Dhanusha Gokulan

dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com