Sports for life management

Updated on: Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Jonathon Sargeant, researcher in special education and classroom management, University of Southern Queensland,Australia,says that sports education can facilitate social development. Proyashi Barua reports

The 2010 Common-wealth Games has opened new vistas in the domain of sports for India. For one, the definition of sports education has evolved beyond its straitjacketed confines. "Sports education is not mere physical training. It connotes psychological and mental wellbeing that ultimately enhances social behaviour and attitudes," says Kalpana Sharma, director, Amity School of Physical Education and Sports Sciences.

"Commemorating the spirit of the Commonwealth Games, our country should work towards fostering a new era of sports education that is not geared towards developing only players and athletes but in creating a society wherein every person irrespective of age and gender imbibes the spirit of a true sportsman," she explains.

In order to create this inclusive and comprehensive culture of sports our educational institutions need to introduce innovative behaviour intervention programmes, especially at the school level, which are based on the principles of physical education (like exercises) and sports. "Such programmes termed as Facilitated Social Skills Development (FSSD), achieves social and behavioural enhancement in students who have severe behavioural challenges," says Jonathon Sargeant, researcher in special education and classroom management, University of Southern Queensland, Australia. "There is demonstrated proof of this technique as it has been successfully implemented in various schools of Australia," he adds.

Sargeant informs that as per a novel initiative of the Australia Trade Commission, India and Australia are coming together to share expertise in the domain of sports education . "The objective is to create a platform where educators , sports trainers and researchers can exchange ideas that will help them to impart happy and healthy perspectives on life. It has been observed that many psychological imbalances and depressions are triggered when people get strapped within the rituals of daily life. Hence, the endeavour of this collaborative platform is to foster a culture of living (rooted in the philosophy of sports) that helps people transcend the rituals of daily life," he elaborates.

Talking about how holistic sports education can enhance social and life skills Sargeant says, "People with a sporting attitude can balance optimism with the ability to gracefully accept defeat in real-life situations. In other words, such people have good recuperative powers and can embark upon fresh challenges undeterred by past failures and setbacks . Moreover, they are more inclined to participate in community initiatives and have good teamwork skills."

Times of India

Sports for life management

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