introduction
It is common knowledge in our societies that sport keeps us healthy and fit, however, the importance of sport goes beyond that. It helps in the all round development of the students. Playing sports teaches ethics, such as teamwork, accountability, self-confidence, responsibility and self-discipline.
Sports in school help prepare our youth to face life's hurdles. It enhances the physical and mental capabilities of the students and helps them achieve their future goals. One can realize the importance of sports through the various national and international sports activities organized around the world, where the athletes represent their countries.
Youth training begins directly at school, where exercise helps develop values of self-confidence and mutual cooperation; It helps to enhance students' capabilities in making immediate decisions, and facilitates ways of thinking.
Here are 7 benefits for young people to play sports at school:
1- The benefits of physical fitness
If you become a regular exerciser, you must train to do maximum exercise, which helps you to maintain your fitness. Regular exercise prevents chronic diseases, helps regulate heartbeat, makes bones strong, and enhances lung function. Moreover, sports provide an effective balance between physical and mental development. For example, football, which is a prominent game in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, helps in all of the aforementioned and prevents any athlete from contracting a disease.
2- Building personality
Being immersed in sports at an early age enables children to engage in social interaction and build skills such as teamwork, leadership and responsibility as they learn to work with others towards achieving their goals. This type of preparation allows students to develop and practice the mental and moral qualities they acquire on the playgrounds as well as at school and at home. For example, young children in Saudi Arabia always participate in school activities to promote teamwork regardless of whether it is during school hours or in activities organized by the school outside.
3- Social skills and teamwork
Being on a sports team, such as basketball in Saudi Arabia, and competing with another school, provides children with a new social circle outside of school and out of their comfort zone; It is an opportunity to make new friends, some of which may last for a long time. Moreover, by training with other students, children engage in different interactions than they have in school. Also, their direct communication and interactions with their mates are much richer than the ones they get by simply texting through social media. They win together, compete with each other, lose and deal with defeat together. Yes! Participation in a particular sport teaches a valuable lesson in teamwork, such as conceding first place if it is for your team's benefit. All this gives students a sense of togetherness and belonging.
4- Self-confidence
When an athlete touches the fruits of hard work and perseverance, and achieves all the goals he has planned, this feeling is sure to develop in him self-esteem. Achieving a sporting goal encourages you to move forward! It is a rewarding and exciting learning process. Furthermore, scientifically speaking, the dopamine receptors in our brains that regulate our mood and muscle movements play a vital role in the brain's pleasure and reward systems that will maintain self-confidence and demand more and more accomplishments. Another example of this: In Saudi Arabia, once you discover a new destination and achieve a goal, it makes hikers who are passionate about hiking in nature and discovering places hungry to move and explore more!
5- Increased discipline and focus
Sport teaches you to play by the rules, for example, the game of football which is highly adopted in Saudi Arabia, to bring out your best skills within the constraints of the game. Activity rules promote self and group discipline and reward hard work. There are many examples of young sportsmanship struggling to find their way in life, where sport enabled them to develop focus and self-control which in turn helped them to be better and more employable people.
6- Learn to be a good competitor - winning and losing
Make every sports match a winning experience or a lesson learned - there is no room for failure. If a student wants to reach his full potential, he should believe in the idea of “win or learn a lesson” rather than the idea of “win and lose,” and future growth quickly replaces missed opportunities. Fostering this way of thinking requires a burning desire to be your best through maturity, focus, and flexibility—qualities that all individuals can improve upon. As all games are learning experiences, you will realize that their attitudes have really changed to more enthusiastic and compliant students. Keep in mind not to ignore mistakes and losses, but to face them and work on ways to use failure as a learning tool. For example, the popular paddle sport that everyone in Saudi Arabia is playing these days is player to player, a very competitive single game! There is no painful loser, just a lesson for the next game.
7- Mental health benefits
Physical activity and exercise have a wide range of mental health benefits. Exercise affects the levels of serotonin in the body, a chemical that helps regulate mood and mental health. Besides, sports activities allow the body to release endorphins that reduce stress hormones. Sport reduces levels of stress, depression and anxiety.
Moreover, team sports develop resilience, empathy, confidence and empowerment.
Exercise boosts your mood, improves focus, and maintains a healthy weight.
Last but not least, exercise helps one sleep better and regularly.
In Saudi Arabia, sometimes at an early age, the majority of citizens take up horse riding. Of course, it is the activity that enjoys calmness, solidity, and wandering slowly in nature. It is an example of recreational activities.
conclusion
Nowadays, sport has become a way of life for young people - and there is no doubt that it has a lot of benefits for them! Participating in sporting activities requires a great deal of exercise and commitment, which is essential to maintaining strong health. Young athletes can develop self-esteem and skills; They can build strong relationships with their teammates as well as with the coaches. This social support helps them feel connected, thus promoting a sense of belonging.
Youth sports can involve compromises and sacrifices. However, parents can be confident knowing that their children are getting immediate and long-term benefits. All of these positive results make all the miles and hours worthwhile.