In India, while sports are technically part of the school curriculum, most teachers and administrators choose to focus on academics and end up relegating sports and games to the back seat. However, countless studies and research on the role of sports in children’s development have proved that sports are vital for the holistic development of students. Thus, Vidyanchal School Pune believes that sports is as important as academic in a student’s life.

Here are the key reasons why sports form such an important part of student life: 

Health 

Physical health 

The physical benefits of sports, especially outdoor sports, are well documented. Children who grow up playing sports regularly have high stamina, flexibility, cardio-vascular health, and motor skills. Sports also combat obesity and related health issues and help strengthen children’s immune systems. Overall, regular exercise through sports is the most efficient way to foster physical well being within school children.

Mental health 

While the effect of sports on physical health is quite obvious, not many people appreciate how important sports are for mental and emotional health of the students. Not only does regular exercise help in reducing depression, anxiety and other such mental illnesses, spending time outdoors also has a marked effect on better mental health. Furthermore, interacting with peers in a sports environment provides children with reliable friends and makes them motivated and goal-oriented, which also translates to their life off the field. 

Social skills

Team work

Team work is a necessary skill which is useful not only in school/college life but also in professional environments. Team sports allow children the opportunity to learn to work with others cohesively as a team with shared motivations and goals. Furthermore, sports help students make a habit of collaboration and unity, and teaches them to put aside personal issues for the benefit of the whole.

Communication

One of the most important aspects of any team sport is proper communication. This includes clear communication about targets, motivations, goals, strategies as well as shortcomings of the team. If children are exposed to this sort of communication on the sports field, they are likely to develop these skills fast and become effective communicators in their personal and professional lives. 

Tolerance

The sports field is a place that brings people together. It can be seen as a melting pot of different people with different attitudes and personalities from different backgrounds and cultures. Playing sports allows students to develop an open-minded, unbiased attitude towards people different from themselves and teaches them the value of adjustment, tolerance and acceptance, which stay with them their entire lives. 

Personality development 

Leadership

Sports allows students to take charge and make vital decisions on their own. In crucial moments of a game, it is the child who takes stock of the situation and determines the best course of action. Furthermore, in team sports, children are given the opportunity to support and motivate each other and figure out the best way to win the game. All these factors develop undeniable leadership skills in students which are reflected in their careers later in life. 

Self confidence

Sports play an important role in getting children out of their shells and developing their sense of self-worth and self-esteem. When a child practices and gets better at sports, it gives them a real sense of achievement and purpose. Success on the sports field can instill great confidence in students and make them believe in themselves and their ability to achieve their dreams. 

Discipline

Discipline is one of the most important values that children learn in school and sports is a big part of that process. While playing sports, students have to follow the rules and regulations while also following the instructions of the coach and referee. Furthermore, in order to excel at a sport, students need to put in consistent efforts and practice regularly, which also gives them a sense of routine and discipline. All this ensures that they grow up to be reliable, disciplined adults. 

Dealing with failure

Failure is an inevitable part of life, both personal and professional. It is also an inevitable part of playing a sport. Through sports, children are exposed to dealing with failure in a healthy way, in a safe environment of peers and teachers. Sports teaches them that failure should not be taken to heart and one must not quit simply because one fails. It teaches them resilience and they learn to pick themselves up again after a loss. 

Conclusion

Introducing sports to students in school has various documented benefits. It not only helps develop children mentally, physically and socially, but it also equips them with essential life skills that play an important role in their personal and professional success later in life. Furthermore, it allows the children to flourish in fields other than academics, thus encouraging them to follow their dreams and interests and become well rounded adults. Sports, with its myriad of benefits, are really indispensable to student life.