The place of sports in youth development is well established but rarely given the worth it is supposed to have. School success in the majority of societies is the pre-eminent desire, typically at the cost of sporting and physical education. Sports play a very significant part in the physical as well as mental growth of young people and should be seen as an integral part of youth development.
Physically, sport participation helps children and adolescents develop strength, coordination, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance. It reduces the risk of obesity, immunizes the immune system, and promotes a physically active lifestyle that may carry over into adulthood. Also, children involved in sport have better sleep patterns and more energy levels, which can enhance their academic function and daily functioning.
Psychologically, sport is a significant factor in the emotional and psychological development of a young person. Through sport, children develop key life skills such as discipline, time management, teamwork, and leadership. They also develop strength of character through exposure to adversity, failure, and competition. Winning provides confidence, while defeat teaches humility and perseverance. Sport is also a healthy stress coping strategy and can act as a preventive measure against mental disease such as anxiety and depression.
Sadly, the value of sport is most often neglected, with parents and education systems placing primary concern on exams and grades. Such an imbalance can disillusion the broader development of children. To truly develop well-rounded pupils, we need to give equal priority to sport as we do to academic success, viewing sport as a worthwhile way to produce fitter, healthier, happier, and more competent citizens.