“When I first came to see the Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad campus, I was astonished to see the facilities available for sports. From football fields to basketball and tennis courts, everything was there and I got so many opportunities to play all the sports I really love to play. Along with the facilities, the Academy has a very passionate and hardworking sports staff who constantly teach us and push us to the limit. All of the coaches have taught us much more than just that particular sport. I am a part of the Academy’s basketball team and my favourite thing about the sport is playing with different people on the team. The sport also creates an unbreakable bond I can rely on both on and off of the court. Being on a team helps us grow not only as players, but as people too. I personally have strengthened my communication skills since joining the team and have learned that the experience gained from playing the game is the most important thing. Playing basketball at the Academy has also taught me and my teammates the importance of maintaining a balance between academics and sports. This is emphasised by our coaches who encourage us to work just as hard in the classroom as we do on the court. Overall, I have learned so much through playing basketball at the Academy and am excited to see the new skills I develop through the sport.” Jaidev Devineni, Diploma Programme 2 student, Aga Khan Academy Hyderabad