With the Olympics fever going on and the entire world cheering for their (s)heroes, it is a must to understand the importance of Sports. The sheer energy, passion and hysterical strength at display has united people across the world. The display of sportsmanship by Michael Phelps and our own PV Sindhu after losing to their opponents displays nothing but courage and humility.
When it comes to Sports, people think of Fame, fitness and Rewards. A little is credited to the character building. Felt it would be ideal to highlight them. These are many important traits that every parent wishes to teach their kids based on their experience in the real world and sports has many of them. Have not been a sportsperson myself, but have enough experience working with them and here are some of the valuable traits that makes them set apart.
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying” - Michael Jordan
The truth is, life is full of challenges and failure is inevitable. For a child taking up sports, it is tough to understand or correlate. But over a period of time with multiple failures and hardship they start understanding and use it as a way forward.
“It is not how we make mistakes, but how we correct them that defines us” - Rachel Wolchin
Recently got started with playing Table Tennis. Once played with a sportsperson, not a table tennis player and he attempted playing maybe more than 10 years back. During the first few games, I was obviously on the lead experimenting with my shots. But after that the person was in full control. The mistakes of his through which I fetched points were slowly corrected and the game turned upside down. That taught me a valuable lesson. Not being a sportsperson, I happen to learn by mindless trying and practicing. But people in sports have this attitude of self-correcting. They deeply analyze their mistakes and correct them. This is an important trait not just in sports but any learning. Self-correcting is quite important for any self-learner.
“Look in the Mirror. That is your Competition.” - Unknown Source
Competition has been generally considered comparing with others. Most of these competition are evaluated outwards instead of inwards. Sportsperson understand it in the right way. They know that “Playing with smart player, makes them smarter”. Kids at very early age can learn that self-improvement is crucial than self-comparison.
“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score” - Bill Copeland
If you look at the massive number of Engineers and Doctors (by degree) out there jobless, is a clear indication of lack of decision making and not setting goal at the right age. Setting up goal also makes them realize that it is a slow process and can be achieved by a proper plan and discipline. After growing up kids will realize that the discipline and character built from setting and achieving a goal will be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do” - Derek Jeter
There is a difference between “Hard Work” and “Working Hard”. Sportsperson understands this and work hard to beat the odds. Kids can learn that smart work and working hard are important trait that can help in reaching their desired goal.
“Life is a team sport; it is not about you” - Sue Enquist
Kids learn that teamwork is not just about getting things faster but how different perspectives, constructive deliberation, questioning, and critical analysis can result in better solutions and performance.
There are many such valuable lessons through sports and it is essential to encourage kids to take up any sports. More importantly Sportsmanship. We in India, definitely lack Sports Education and the support at Olympics and the outburst biased to the medals tally is a casualty of that. It is important to educate fellow citizen and the future generation that Sports is not just about fame, fitness and trophies.
I would like to end with a wonderful quote by JJ Watt, “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.” Hope to see more parents encouraging kids to take up any sports.
When it comes to Sports, people think of Fame, fitness and Rewards. A little is credited to the character building. Felt it would be ideal to highlight them. These are many important traits that every parent wishes to teach their kids based on their experience in the real world and sports has many of them. Have not been a sportsperson myself, but have enough experience working with them and here are some of the valuable traits that makes them set apart.
“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying” - Michael Jordan
The truth is, life is full of challenges and failure is inevitable. For a child taking up sports, it is tough to understand or correlate. But over a period of time with multiple failures and hardship they start understanding and use it as a way forward.
“It is not how we make mistakes, but how we correct them that defines us” - Rachel Wolchin
Recently got started with playing Table Tennis. Once played with a sportsperson, not a table tennis player and he attempted playing maybe more than 10 years back. During the first few games, I was obviously on the lead experimenting with my shots. But after that the person was in full control. The mistakes of his through which I fetched points were slowly corrected and the game turned upside down. That taught me a valuable lesson. Not being a sportsperson, I happen to learn by mindless trying and practicing. But people in sports have this attitude of self-correcting. They deeply analyze their mistakes and correct them. This is an important trait not just in sports but any learning. Self-correcting is quite important for any self-learner.
“Look in the Mirror. That is your Competition.” - Unknown Source
Competition has been generally considered comparing with others. Most of these competition are evaluated outwards instead of inwards. Sportsperson understand it in the right way. They know that “Playing with smart player, makes them smarter”. Kids at very early age can learn that self-improvement is crucial than self-comparison.
“The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score” - Bill Copeland
If you look at the massive number of Engineers and Doctors (by degree) out there jobless, is a clear indication of lack of decision making and not setting goal at the right age. Setting up goal also makes them realize that it is a slow process and can be achieved by a proper plan and discipline. After growing up kids will realize that the discipline and character built from setting and achieving a goal will be more valuable than the achievement of the goal itself.
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do” - Derek Jeter
There is a difference between “Hard Work” and “Working Hard”. Sportsperson understands this and work hard to beat the odds. Kids can learn that smart work and working hard are important trait that can help in reaching their desired goal.
“Life is a team sport; it is not about you” - Sue Enquist
Kids learn that teamwork is not just about getting things faster but how different perspectives, constructive deliberation, questioning, and critical analysis can result in better solutions and performance.
There are many such valuable lessons through sports and it is essential to encourage kids to take up any sports. More importantly Sportsmanship. We in India, definitely lack Sports Education and the support at Olympics and the outburst biased to the medals tally is a casualty of that. It is important to educate fellow citizen and the future generation that Sports is not just about fame, fitness and trophies.
I would like to end with a wonderful quote by JJ Watt, “Success isn’t owned. It’s leased, and rent is due every day.” Hope to see more parents encouraging kids to take up any sports.