In order to strengthen rational skills as well as mental and physical well-being, motivating children to participate in sports is crucial, parents should support their children’s passion for sports, says RADHIKA SINHA
Actively engaging in sports from an early age can play a fundamental role in the overall growth and development of a child. Participating in sports, supports in boosting the physical and mental strength of the body. However, the zest for being involved in sports activities has drastically decreased, as children nowadays tend to lean more towards virtual gaming as a source of entertainment. It has thus become vital for schools and parents to encourage children to actively participate in sports, which will help them attain diverse physical and rational skills, experiences, and build their confidence that will further aid in developing their personality. Every school must make sports an integral part of the curriculum as academic institutes play a major role in building a student's physical abilities and wake the spirit of good sportsmanship so that children can evolve physically sound and mentally active.
India has a large pool of legendary athletes who have brought glory to the nation by achieving medals through their brilliant performance in various sports whether it be Olympics or any other national and international tournaments. These sports persons have been able to achieve great triumph and have won laurels owing to discipline, determination, resilience and severe hard work. It takes years of determination and morale boost to be able to represent the country on various platforms. It is commendable that India has sent its biggest contingent of 228-members to participate in 18 sporting events in this year's Tokyo Olympics 2020 that commenced on July 23, 2021. It can thus be foreseen that the Indian sports industry will rise by an average of around 18 per cent by 2022.
Similarly, if a child showcases signs that sports is their passion and forte, parents should encourage them to engage in the sport as it enables the child to pursue their favourite activity as a career option. Parents need to recognize the skillset showcased by a child at an early stage and accordingly invest in further developing their strengths. The child can start focusing on active and serious participation in sports at school level or college level and can start playing at the state level followed by regional level and then can explore opportunities at national and international levels. However, to be able to do this, one requires a lot of hardwork and perseverance and it is thus crucial for the youth to keep these things in mind while considering a career in sports.
India as a country has been at the forefront of supporting sportspeople by setting up ‘The Sports Authority’ at the national level with an aim to encourage dedicated athletes to further flourish as well as support the budding talent in sports. State-level branches have been set up by SAI, in a view to organizing schemes particularly aimed to promote sportsmen. Since modern-day sports requires a great deal of energy and stamina, an athlete should be persistent, energetic, and have the commitment to excel. A disciplined training regimen under the expert supervision of a trainer, coupled with a nutritious diet plan has to be practiced. Being enthusiastic, determined, and capable to face failures and obstacles by creating an ecosystem of sporting spirit is a major quality trait in athletes.
These similar traits need to be ingrained in children so that they can be ready to face any hurdles that might come their way and prepare for the worst case and the best case scenarios during a sports competition or practice.
A fundamental aspect to keep in mind is that sports is one such element that differentiates a student from the rest, especially in competitive circumstances such as college placements, obtaining scholarships, or funding for education. Our country encourages and supports those who excel in the areas of their interests and thrive towards bringing the country's name into the limelight at a global level in sports. As Nelson Mandela once said, "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does." To conclude, if more young Indians perceive a career in sports backed by the support of schools, teachers and parents, we can continue to put India on a global map and create history each time.