Sport has a social responsibility

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) have drawn up an ambitious program to provide students in the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone - girls and boys in the primary and secondary education - enhanced opportunities to compete in 14 sports. "We have around 55,000 children in mind and want to provide each and every one of them with the opportunity to excel in their chosen sport under the theme 'Champions of the Future'," said Mohammed al Mahmoud, the secretary general of ADSC.

It is a good thought, a much-needed fillip to the budding sportsmen and sportswomen of the emirate. And like the old saying goes, it is better late than never. Children in the Emirates have too little access to sport. Now that the opportunity has been provided, the young generation should grab it with both arms, show their prowess and blaze a trail to show ADSC they have finally got it right. It is the first time such a wide-ranging program - including athletics, swimming, football, tennis, volleyball and fencing - have been drawn up for the public as well as the private schools, under the aegis of the Abu Dhabi Educational Council.

ADSC has announced rewards for the best-performing youngsters, by providing them scholarships for advance coaching both in the Emirates and abroad. Such incentives would certainly be a huge benefit to those with aspirations of sporting careers. Sports is an important consideration in school curriculums. It completes the needs of physical and mental approaches to life. It is vital for the country. A survey of children in 2006 put the percentage of obese as 17 per cent. This is terrifying.

That means nearly one in every five children is overweight. Even among the non-obese population, the percentage of sports involvement was minimal. With such research providing the backdrop, institutions like Al Jazira Club, based in the capital, have formed a sports and health goundation to prove that sport has a corporate social responsibility. It has been established that sports help develop qualities such as leadership, team spirit, perseverance, determination and an enterprising nature.

When you read tales of sportsmen and women in our pages, they all have a common ground: the fact that they started off early. Roger Federer, Colin Montgomrie, Mikko Hirvonen and Ismail Matar are people who grab our headlines. They were active as children. Youngsters should be exposed to such greatness as soon as possible. Adults should set the pace by encouraging their children find their natural skill. Academia is important, but sport helps create well-rounded individuals.

Let children feel the thrill, the sense of victory and defeat and how to face such situations that will help them later in life. Schools void of competition in sport are schools without spirit. What will be the final product? Academics who are qualified and certified but yet misfits in society. Lack of activity makes the next generation suspect to deformities in later life or prone to sickness. This leaves much food for thought as the need of large areas for natural playgrounds and motivating games for kids both require serious thought from planners.

Starting young, guiding the future generations and giving them a head start must be made a priority. More details about the program from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council can be had on 02-6814343 or on the website www.adsc.ae. [e-mail]