Sports for peace: Healthy activities can help children avoid diseases

Heart diseases, diabetes can be avoided with physical activity.

ISLAMABAD: Researchers have observed that physically active children are less likely to suffer from high-blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart diseases, later in life. 

The experts were speaking at an event celebrating the International Day of Sports for Development and Peace (IDSDP) organised by “Right-to-Play” in collaboration with the United Nations Information Center and Sports Development Foundation, at a local hotel on Monday.

They observed that physical activity stimulated growth and helped individuals achieve improved physical and emotional health.

Researchers have observed that not only physical activity helps one lead an active life but that active children are less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and heart disease later in life.

“We are working with over 600 schools to promote the idea of making children learn through games and similar activities,” said Iqbal Jatoi, country manager Right-to-Play, Pakistan. He said that children from different socio-economic classes, race and creed came together through such activities.

Panel discussions were held at the event on the role that physical activity plays in quality education, social cohesion as well as women empowerment and development.

In his opening speech, Federal Education and Professional Training Minister of State Balighur Rehman said that they were working on devising a policy to place sports in the National Education Policy this year.

United Nations Information Centre Director Vittorio Cammarota said that sports nurtured a society and incorporated fundamental values such as equality and mutual respect. It further motivates children to look forward to school, he said. Majid Khan, former captain of the national cricket team, said, “Before the 1970s, all government and missionary schools had playgrounds for all kinds of sports.” Private schools started mushrooming during the early 1980s and are unable to provide children with a suitable space to play, he added.

Right-to-Play recommended including mandatory play areas in educational institutes, budgetary allocations for physical education in schools, revision of physical education curriculum and revival of physical education in primary schools.

A video message by Wilfried Lemke, special adviser to the UN secretary-general on sport for development and peace was also screened at the event.

He urged governments, civil society and development agencies to firmly place sports in all policies and programmes relating to health and education.

The concept of Sport for Development and Peace (SDP) is gaining momentum worldwide. Due to its positive values and power to contribute towards objectives of the United Nations, the UN General Assembly declared April 6 as International Day of Sport for Development and Peace in 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2015.