Opinion | Importance of Sports in Schools.

Khelo India and School Games Inspired All.

Physical Education and various types of sports are very important for the mental and physical development of students. In childhood, children are naturally fond of sports, which keeps their body parts exercising, which improves their development.While sports help in the better development of children, it also helps in character building and Psychological training of students. Since ancient times, different types of sports and healthy activities have been conducted in schools to make children healthy and achieve the desired goals. It is clear from research that healthy children play an important role in education. Therefore, there is a need to emphasize physical education and sports in schools.
Most of our teachers and even parents seem to suspect that the child is not fast in studies,for such teachers and parents, there is a proverb that “Children are fast with Games like the Wheels of a car with oil.”any student, irrespective of his class, cannot get better education unless he is physically fit. Exercise is very important to keep the body fit and physical exercise is directly or indirectly related to sports. Regarding fitness, this saying is famous that “If a country has sports fields, its hospitals will be deserted, and if a country has deserted sports fields, its hospitals will be populated.” This is the reason why the key role of physical education like academic education is recognized in any society.
Just as curriculum education plays an important role in developing mental abilities and better character, physical education paves the way for discipline, sense of responsibility and leadership skills in the youth. The ratio is highly visible, but unlike the past, the situation is changing here. In developed countries, in order to promote physical education in schools, various games are organized in schools to develop the character of students as well as mental and physical development.In these countries, sports are used as an educational tool for the physical development of children as well as for increasing the intellectual and practical abilities of children. In India so many initiatives have been taken by the Government under the Dynamic Leadership of PM Narindra Modi. The Government launched the Khelo India scheme in 2018 to revive the sports culture in India at the Grass-Root level. It aims to revive the sports culture by building a solid framework for all sports played in India and establishing our country as a sporting nation. It is a national scheme for the development of sports.
It aims at mainstreaming sports as a tool for National, economic, community and individual development. The Union Cabinet approved the revamped ‘Khelo India’ program by consolidating the National Sports Talent Search System Programme, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (formerly called the Yuva Krida and Khel Abhiyan). The Khelo India scheme strives to promote ‘Sports for Excellence’ and ‘Sports for All’.
On the one hand, We see that in Schools, if children are told to focus only on books and curriculum, students start to feel bored very quickly. To keep young children focused on learning, it is important to teach and learn through play as recommended by the National Education Policy 2020.Students will not learn unless they enjoy learning, which is why young children are fed more and more games in the classroom.
When a child plays, he has to communicate with others verbally or with the help of gestures,by doing this, he also has to take into account the thoughts of others. When differences arise between children in play, the importance of others’ points of view is assessed. Through group games, children learn to cooperate and sympathize with their peers, follow rules and regulations, moderate competition, obedience, leadership, Anti-Bullying, and waiting for their turn. They also learn, through organized sports, to respect the morals of the people and to sacrifice their desires and personal interests to the collective interest.Every Year Department of Youth Services and Sports organised Inter Zonal and Inter School Games Like,Kho Kho,Kabaddi,Volleyball and Cricket in under 14 Category and under 18 Category.
Conclusion. “When You are physically active, Your mind is distracted from daily stress. This can help You avoid getting bogged down by negative thoughts”. So, sports are more beneficial than harmful because they help take away those negative thoughts that lead to that dangerous path. Also active participation in Sports can defend You from becoming depressed because You usually play a sport because it is exciting and You enjoy playing, or like the support system it gives You. So You become happy overall, since You are doing something that You love and are passionate about. It creates an environment that is used to allow a person to calm down, relax, and have fun.
(Writer is a Columnist and a Teacher By Profession and Can be Contacted on mukhtar.qur@gmail.com )