Sports as an Effective tool for the Development and Engagement of the Youth

Sport has the unique power to bring people of diverse backgrounds, religions, interests, cultures, etc together, especially the youth and yet until recently, the tremendous potential of sport to achieve educational and development targets among the youth has more or less been largely overlooked in Nigeria. By its very nature, sport encourages universal participation bridging national, ethnic, social and religious divides. It is precisely for this reason that sport, when effectively used as a tool for youth development, can serve as a catalyst for general social development.

Sport is a powerful tool which can be used to empower children as young as toddlers and the youth with life skills. It facilitates the rehabilitation & re-integration of the marginalised e.g. street children, the disabled, etc into mainstream society. Sport activities by their very nature demand perseverance, teamwork, discipline and leadership, which in turn nurture confidence and motivation for self-development. Early engagement in sports also benefits children and youth by identifying their talents physical or non-physical and motivating & guiding them to pursue it as career. Sport enhances participation, integration & cohesion into various communities whether at school, church, mosque or clubs.

Sport can be used to mobilise and empower young women and girls who typically are more likely to be discouraged from going into sports and/or the disabled, for better inclusive development. Sport is a key service for young men, women and vulnerable groups, who are often exposed to negative influences.

The youth are easily among the most impressionable members of society which makes it a great tool for character building through the main tenets and values obtained through effective and structured sports programmes. It is imperative to take up active sports from an early age, as lessons learned from engaging in sports can be extremely positive as well as character defining and life changing.

Benefits of youth sports

There are numerous mental, physical and psychological benefits attributed to participating in youth sports. Sports hones cerebral activities such as concentration, analytical and critical thinking, creativity, mental acuity and goal setting. Physical advantages include enjoying a superior quality of life and longevity by maintaining a healthy body, as a result of which many serious illnesses can be avoided. Participating actively in sports produces and enhances necessary key developmental psychological elements such as self-confidence, self-esteem, healthy ambition and positive gratification. Conversely, negative psychological conditions such as depression, inferiority complex, anxiety, despair and insomnia can also be avoided. Furthermore, innumerable social benefits and skills can be derived from embracing a life of sports at a very early age.

To an appreciable extent many of these worrying behaviors and lifestyles which are destroying our youths, can be shunned through their active involvement in sports programmes. Sports can serve to inculcate useful social skills in the youths of our diverse society, such as ethnic and religious understanding and tolerance, a work-based rewards mentality and the importance of giving back to the community as role models and youth ambassadors. Team sports are equally important as they foster dedication, accountability, selflessness and leadership skills. In team sports every member regardless of the magnitude or minor significance of their role, is personally and collectively responsible for the success of the team.

Self-discipline is an important skill learned from sports which is easily transferable to other areas of life, including academics, professional careers and community development and national service.

Finally, the roles of government, community and family cannot be understated in achieving the above mentioned objectives. Integral institutions of society are to step up to the plate and become actively engaged in formal sports programmes for youths. By doing so we are sending a loud, much needed and much overdue message to our youths that they are important and we care about them.

Parents and family members, it is no longer excusable to say that you are too busy to encourage and oversee a credible, regular and safe sports programme for your children and wards. Even if there are no structured programmes in your neighbourhood, it is not too difficult to meet with like-minded parents and create a programme, which indeed other neighborhoods could emulate. To community leadership namely, local government and religious authorities.

Key Recommendations

Solutions that target youth and children through sport is one component and aims at promoting sport as a tool for youth development in the neighborhood and schools.

The National and State sports commissions are encouraged to lead the implementation of the following activities:

• Initiate and mentor a multi-stakeholder process that involves local youth, schools, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and mandated local government offices at neighborhood levels.
• Undergo a massive national rehabilitation of all neighborhood and public and private school sports playing fields to increase accessibility to a variety of sports and encourage friendly participation for all.
• Create more recreational spaces for public uses.
• All Schools at primary, secondary and tertiary levels should develop and implement a structured and concise sports curriculum.
• Equip neighborhood volunteer coaches and school sport teachers in comprehensive coaching techniques (sport, life skills, counseling) through tailor-made training.
• Facilitate ‘sport for all ‘campaigns and sport events in the neighborhood & schools to sensitize the community and authorities.

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to unite in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they can understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.

– Nelson Mandela