Benefit of competition

Events such as School Olympics will not only benefit children but the whole community.

The UAE does not have much of a sporting culture. One reason is the hot weather that makes outdoor activities difficult; another is a lack of motivation, which affects adults and children alike. As a result, the current generation is fighting an epidemic of obesity and the country has one of the world’s highest rates of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to inactivity.

Motivating children to exercise is clearly important for the health of the country – and that's why we applaud the organisers of the School Olympics, held in Dubai over the weekend.

As The National reported yesterday, the second edition of the contest attracted more than 1,000 students from across the country. Not only was the overall performance higher than at the previous event, the enthusiasm was palpable among both the children and the parents who came to cheer them on.

This is an important point. When children have support and encouragement from their families, it is easier for them to develop a love of sport.

Physical games are a great way for children to have fun, stay fit, improve their cognitive skills and make friends. And there is no better way to motivate them than to place them in friendly competitions such as this.