User:Wilson Saldanha/sandbox

= Sports in Education = All of us are very familiar with the statement that goes, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”. Sports and games are among the most important aspect of everyone’s lives which help us to live life to the fullest. Gone are those days when education was just textbooks and exams. Gone are the days when the life of a student used to be one-dimensional and the only worry was to perform better in tests which would judge on the learning parameters of the student. More significance was given to the test grades and less to aptitude improvement or extra-curricular exercises. The idea of education has changed drastically over the years where more importance is given now towards a comprehensive development of students. The modern educationists and the parents realized that sport is an important aspect of education and therefore most schools all over the world have added sport-related syllabi in their curricula.

What is ‘Sports in Education’?
“Sports are the activities that integrate amusement with physical exercise. Sports are usually games with certain rules that need exertion of body, mind or both.” Education refers to learning an expertise or gaining information. Education is significant for the healthy development and improvement of a youngster. Sports are an enjoyment approach to keep the physical movement at par with the mental development needs. At the same time, sports balance the static idea of scholarly training that is education. Sports and education can go hand in hand as both these contribute for the holistic development of the person's character. Because of this reason there are different qualities to be gained from playing sports, making it an indispensable piece of education.

Importance of Sports in Education
Sports an education are like the two faces of the same coin. They are just inseparable considering the objectives of education. There are a number of important factors in sports that have a strong influence on education of students. Some of them are as follows:


 * Sport in education helps in improving physical health, thereby improving the chances of a healthy mind. Because, “a healthy mind resides in a healthy body”. It helps students to relax and to concentrate on their studies. A number of research missions have effectively proven that sports activities help in enhancing mental capabilities. Sports activities induce the brain to produce a hormone called endorphin which helps improving the mood. A good mood goes on to contribute in good health and in better performance.


 * Sports requires many mental skills such as discipline, concentration etc. which are necessary for academic training as well. Thus sports help in inculcating such skills. Sports also teach that it is necessary to put in constant efforts to achieve something in life.


 * Sports help in breaking the monotony of books and laptops. Many creative teachers use sports based lessons in the lower classes increasing the effectiveness of lessons.


 * Sports in education provide a platform for the budding athletes at a very early stage of their lives. It is in schools that the students discover their potentialities, hone their skills with practice and guidance and prepare to make a name for themselves. All the professional sports-stars representing their respective countries in Olympics and other events were guided by their physical educators in schools at some point of their training.


 * Sports in education can be a life-skills teaching process for physical educators were the students learn the skills of teamwork, determination, dedication and creativity. Through sports, the students also learn to obey the rules and develop respect for each other through the ‘spirit of sports’.


 * Sports offer a number of options for the students. They are free to choose a sport of their liking and to develop their skill to be the best in that sport. This also gives an opportunity for the teachers to gauge the child and to prepare differentiated instruction techniques for each student based on their capacity.

Conclusion
Introducing sports in Education in every schools is the need of the hour. Every student needs to get physical exercise and mental enjoyment through sports activities in order to perform better in their academic training. As highlighted above, sports and education must be inseparable as both of them share similar characteristics that complement each other. That sports enhance the activities of the brain is a proven fact. There can be no doubt regarding the positive impact of sports on academic performance. it is time now that we realize this and try to develop students in sports-based educational setting which would help in the holistic development of their character.