Empowering 50 Student Athletes in the Philippines

THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORTS IN LIFE:  An Advocacy of Foundation University’s Institute of Youth Sports for Peace

Playing sports at an early age is an effective vehicle in building champions while teaching children values that they need to win in the game of life.  It is through sports, that we discover values that help develop and strengthen our character – as a coach, as an athlete and more importantly as a person.

Going through adversity and hardship is a value to be learned in sports.  Athletes may feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained but continue to go on and believe in themselves because champions are not made in the gymnasiums.  Champions are made from a deeper sense of meaning and understanding of the chosen sport – a desire, a dream, a vision.  Athletes strive to have the skill and the will but the will must be stronger than the skill.

Sports is not about winning.  Sports is about education and recreation. Sports is equated to life.  Its purpose is not to succeed but to manage the struggle and to live.  Playing a chosen sport allows us to explore and share common roots and sensibilities, wherever we may live, in whatever culture and circumstance we may be in.  It is from these that we draw sustenance.  The understanding of who first discovered the sport is even less important than the sheer enjoyment of playing it.

Play is elemental to being human.  From little children tossing colored balls or watching lights dance before their eyes or even marvel at the patterns of their mothers skirts. At one point in time,  all must have thrown a pebble, a stick, a ball or even roll a marble;  play with siblings, friends, hopscotch down a pavement or running along a dirt track.  Informal groups or teams become formed even without putting much weight on competition amongst them in games of skill or chance.  Play is part of what and who we are.

As a sport leader,  the thrust is to develop the youth and creating champions.  Sports is a metaphor and a training ground preparing oneself for the real game called LIFE.

“Sports can teach all of us habits that are useful in the more humdrum hours of our lives, and indeed, can be a tool in aiding human development in the less advantaged parts of our world. Beyond all that, there is a thrill, a charge, an excitement that comes from races, contests and games – one that outside the walloping emotions of love and passion is hard to beat”. –British Prime Minister Tony Blair