The importance of sports in our life cannot be overemphasised. It is not merely a huge source of entertainment but also beneficial for our mind and body. Sports help us in developing physical strength and increases our stamina. Sports and exercise together improve a child’s mental capability.
I recently came across a news report that a college had organised a Girls Inter-collegiate Tug-of-War competition. It may seem like an ordinary news but I was impressed that an event was held for girls. However, it was disappointing to note that invitations were not sent to all colleges and calling it an inter-college tournament can be termed an insult.
If students of only two or four colleges participate in a tournament then it was a mere photo session and cannot be called a tournament. An inter-college tournament should have the wide participation of several colleges across the region. If there was a lack of resources, it could have been held at the zonal level. I have stressed that there is an urgent need to popularise sports culture in Sindh but discreetly holding tournaments with a few institutions is a major obstacle in the promotion of sports as you cannot attract students unless the competition is properly advertised.
We used to prepare for tournaments and teams but now there are no sports competitions taking place due to the inaction of the Interboard Office. These events not only attracted students towards healthy activities but also provided them much needed training. The lack of interest of these boards is equally responsible for the decline of sports.
Today, the young generation is not ready to set their mobile phones aside and we are equally responsible for it because unless we do not create opportunities for them, they will not take interest.
We need to organise sports events in educational institutions so that children remain mentally and physically active, keep their mobile phones away and demonstrate their abilities in the field
Sports in educational institutions will eventually lead to participation in national and international competitions. I would like to congratulate the winners of the college competition and send my best wishes to them. There is a need for more sports opportunities for the younger generation as students help spread the positive identity of the country.
If intercollegiate competitions are held between one or two colleges, it will be seem like the branches of a private college are competing with each other and only support their own students. These students of these private institutes do not become players at national or global level. The institutes do not benefit from the competitions, leagues, points table nor do they promote the sport but rather hold rubber stamp competitions.
The government should sponsor sports competitions at school and college level. It should formulate a policy to promote sports culture in the country so that the younger generation can be protected from social evils. If colleges only organise sports among themselves then the lack of promotion will not create interest in students and they will not come forward. When there is no passion for sports, then the dream of building a healthy society will never come true.
