This Physical Educationist is on a mission to nurture and develop Sports talent of the country

Thomas MA – Founder, Mysuru Sports & Fitness Academy

Established in 2009, Mysuru Sports & Fitness Academy (MSFA) is the brainchild of Physical Educationist, Thomas MA, who is on a mission to promote health and wellness through sports and fitness activities among youngsters. Since its inception, the academy is trying to imbibe the values of breaking the barriers through confronting challenges by virtue of determination and courage. Following the current trend of youth’s interest in sports and fitness, MSFA was introduced to nurture and develop sports talent of the country, and 13 years down the line its still running strong with some great plans ahead.

Thomas has done masters in physical education with silver medal from Mangalore University and is a gold medallist in Target ball, representing India in 2019. He is a certified fitness and nutrition coach and participated in inter university volleyball comprising of University of Mysore & University of Mangalore. He has played various sports in college life and won gold in Masters Games at Bangalore in Volleyball. His achievements helped him in his selection to the International Master Games in Nepal from 16^th November representing India in athletics. Observing the trend in sports and passion to pursue a career in it, drove Thomas in setting up the Academy – the main motto is to keep youngsters fit, concentrating more on school and college goers, so that they become better person in life and excel in sports, thereby represent India at international levels.

MSFA is not here to gain monetarily only but ethically promoting health and wellness of all citizens of society by encouraging sports and fitness activities for all age group. According to Thomas,

“We engage students and clients in outdoor fitness activities. We also conduct various tournaments, boot camps, and promote marathons for all age groups. Fitness classes in schools and college are conducted by us for students and teachers, along with summer camps, and coaching camps. We give opportunity to players to represent district, state, and national and international level in sports activities. Personality development classes, sports and fitness consultancy are also being provided by us. We are also in trekking and nature walks for all age group.”

Modern lifestyle is such that people in general are vulnerable to ill health issues. MSFA is helping to improve public health condition, so that they start feeling full of life with fitness and other working-out activities. Thomas aims to train one lakh students across schools in Mysuru by 2023, thereby creating sustainability in his business model. Like any other business set-up, he too initially faced certain hurdles – motivating people was the toughest job. Apart from this financial support was crucial, which presently too remains as a dire need to keep moving. He even sold his blood in hospitals to fund his volleyball. But the fact that fitness and sports is a fast-growing industry nowadays makes things brighter. But right time and opportunity also matters some time with hard work and dedication towards any profession.

Throughout his life he has been honoured and rewarded with various felicitations. Best Sportsman Award from JSS College Mysore 2005, Best Outgoing Student from Alva’s college of Physical Education Mangalore 2006, felicited by Kanadda Kala Sangha Vijayanagar District Hospet for representing India in Targetball and winning Gold Medal 2020, Young Personality of the year award from JCI Hospet Zone XXIV 2021 etc are just few worth mentioning. Thomas feels that there’s no substitute to hard work, dedication, passion, punctuality, ethics and creativity. Thorough knowledge is also essential to shine in any field of work. Citing these parameters as key traits to possess for new comers, he signs off.