Badminton

Swimming is the one activity every child should learn early, for safety as much as fitness. New Delhi has BBMP pools in most zones, club pools and academy pools; look for a certified coach, a pool depth suited to beginners and a batch size under ten.

Tennis coaching in New Delhi runs from KSLTA in Cubbon Park to club and apartment-complex courts. Beginners start with mini-tennis on shorter courts; ask about the coach's AITA background and whether match play is included.

Cricket academies range from locality nets to KIOC and the KSCA academy. For a young player, look for turf wickets, age-group matches and a coach with a BCCI or state-association certification.