Sports aren’t just a means of fun, but a way for us to increase the joy in our lives. Sports enhance the well-being of a person by providing all necessary things that a person would ask for. Sports, starting from childhood to old age have been teaching many life-lessons, helping develop physical strength, social skills and many more aspects to keep a person fit in mind and body. The roars of the crowd during a cricket match, a tennis player’s skilful movement around the court and the energy on a football field all speak of sports. Now with people increasingly leading sedentary lives and technology taking a large chunk of the population’s time, the importance of physical activity, which is the main source of sport, can never be underscored more than at the present moment.

Sports make our body strong

Sport is perhaps one of the best means to boost a person’s fitness levels. In the words of famous physiotherapists: the stamina and muscles gained by regular playing are never the same as other ways of keeping oneself fit. Sports improve body coordination and enhance flexibility. Medical problems that arise due to inactivity include obesity, diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure. Through sports like basketball, soccer and other games and physical exercises like swimming, jogging, cycling all help keep body in good shape, while making us fit in a body as agile as a panther and strong as an ox and giving us pleasure at the same time. Apart from it’s aspect of maintaining our weight by burning off calories in the body it is something that keeps our bodies working in its maximum capacity making it more immune.

Sports and our psyche

Many scientists say that sports play a greater part in improving our mental health than their physical part. During physical exertion the happy hormones released during sport help us alleviate our problems and make us happy as well as positive in general and keep stress away; therefore sport is a very effective cure for anxieties and even depression.

Besides, sports increase focus

In games like badminton and chess etc. one has to remain very active, and the mind of an active player would seem to be sharper than that of a inactive person. So if a student is in a sports team they are more prone to doing well academically than others as the students playing sport have better focus levels, know the use of discipline and how to manage time. One learns to stay motivated for achievement of higher levels of accomplishment and be glad in times of success and more so learn from failure.

Discipline

A vital part of sport is Discipline. Discipline is what helps us follow rules, adhere to schedules, eat and train properly and attain the goals we set for ourselves; not only when playing but in all aspects of life like careers, and studies too. Playing team games like cricket, football etc. helps us bond with team members and create relationships where there is no competition but co-operation and trust. In a sport you learn what team spirit is. The team must not be afraid of difficulties, instead be able to lift spirits when in trouble, hence giving rise to leadership qualities.

Social development

It is an area that Sports cannot lose to others. Bringing people together irrespective of their religion, language, background etc. has always been one great achievement in the games of sport, may it be local cricket or the World Cup, sport provides a ground to unite people. Sports develop friendship through interaction and playing games. Not only opponents are made friendly with each other but even the player, peer, referee, and the game itself are all treated with respect; this is known as Sportsmanship and fair play in sport. With billions of fans watching international games like Cricket World Cup, Olympics, Football world cup, etc. sports create relationships between countries of the world thereby promoting peace between nations.

A Career option

Now day’s sports have gained recognition from being mere recreational activities to professions, where a person can aspire to become a player, trainer, coach, physical therapist, etc. Sports journalism is also becoming a very good career choice and sports academies are setup everywhere promoting sport for growth. Role models like Lionel Messi, Virat Kohli and Serena Williams are making so many youngsters realize that they too can aspire for so much through Sports.

Role in Schools

Sports play a major role in making sure that schools do not only become place of academics but are fun places too. Studies make us book smart and Sports makes us Street smart. They also keep us from leading sedentary lives. Children participating in sport will naturally lead a better life. Teachers and parents should thus encourage children to get outdoors to play sport and keep away from screen time.

Challenges

Every new sector faces difficulties; playing sport too is no different. Lack of sport fields, high training costs and over emphasis of studies hinder many from participating sport. Sometimes even in our own locality gender bias exists making women miss out of equal playing opportunities, though international matches try to reduce this gap. Governments should help build sporting infrastructure and promote sport amongst all and help sportspersons.

Sports are no doubt very essential for betterment of our life. As more people take to sport, their lives get richer. Fitness levels increase, focus improves giving them inspiration and enthusiasm for future tasks. Sport is fun and gives immense benefits for health and gives you a strong body. Investing in sports is an investment in life.