By: Podzani Tshuma
Sport is one of those things that you’ll have to go a long way to find somebody that has no interest in. It unites people from different categories of life; whether rich nor poor. When they meet, they discuss football, cricket, rugby and athletics; from regional to international competitions. Highlighting how the games were played.
The interest in sport is displayed through different channels, be it watching or partaking in that sporting activity. I have seen a lot of people who are passionate about sport signing up to be members of different clubs and some becoming die-hard fans.
I for one, I haven’t always been into sports. But I’m glad I met people who recruited me to the world of sports. I now follow a South African sports program called Homeground which plays on channel 161 DSTV every Monday at 21.30 hours and, also read sports news. I admit that I had been missing out. I’m glad that I’m now a huge fan of sport.
With my experience in following sports I realised there is more to it than just a game. It is not only about rivals between different teams but it is more about grooming players to be better individuals. They are taught to be independent, and be able to control their temper.
Studies show that some people use sporting activities for rehabilitation and recreation purposes. For instance, soccer; a game which is played by two teams each consisting of eleven players. It has rules which one has to follow and when they are broken you are punished. They use yellow and red cards to punish those who would have broken the rules of the game. Only the goal keeper is allowed to use his hands for any other player it will be a penalty or free kick. Those mistakes affect the whole team’s performance.
Pardon me, I will use soccer as a point of reference in this article.
Soccer is good for personal development. It’s not only about people sweating and running after the ball or winning and losing. But rather it grooms people to become better individuals through advice from coaches and team managers. It cultivates self-confidence and teamwork tendencies, where players are taught to appreciate their different talents and how they can utilise them for better performance of the team. It is not an individual’s game but a team’s game bringing their best together to achieve their goals and help each other shine.
Teamwork also promote relations between players, they grow closer together and can support each other in the field and even outside. Teams who have players who are not united usually struggle to co-ordinate and put their all in the game.
To those who thought sport is about running after a ball and sweating, from today onwards know that you were wrong there is more to it than just sweating. Those who partake in sporting activities get learn how to handle pressure, control their temper and how to relate with others in the field of game and outside the pitch. Sport works as a therapy for both mind, soul and body.
NUST JOURNAL-ZW 