A healthy mind can only be found in a healthy body. In a weak body there can be no healthy and active mind. And for a healthy body, physical exercise is essential. Without physical exercise, our body will become weak, lethargic and dull. The objective of education is the integral development of a personality. You cannot afford to neglect a student’s physical appearance. The development of the mind and the body are equally important in any good education.
Lack of proper physical exercise in the form of games and sports develops many mental problems. Mere intellectual achievement is not enough. Good health and a healthy body are also essential to face the challenges of life. Therefore, games and sports are an integral part of school education. Education will remain incomplete without physical training and exercise. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is a famous saying. After the studies some physical exercise, games and sports are necessary. They refresh the body and mind and provide recreation. A football or vallyball game in the open air is very refreshing. A game of hockey or badminton will help the student regain lost mental and physical energy. There will be increased oxygen intake, better blood circulation and digestion due to these. Outdoors, where games are played, there is fresh air, openness and the presence of nature. They have a very healthy influence on the players. Running, jumping, kicking, swimming, etc. They provide vigorous exercise for our limbs and body organs. They provide us with physical fitness, courage, stamina, cooperation, and team spirit. The players are more disciplined and fit than others. Sports and games along with education prepare us to rise up and face the challenges of life.
Games and sports are a valuable form of education. They develop our skills and abilities to the fullest. They teach discipline, obedience and cooperation. Each game has its own rules and regulations. They are binding on the players. All players have to follow them. There is sorrow in its violation. You can never win a game without following the laws of the game. He has to abide by the sentence of the refree. Teaches the player how important the laws are. It makes clear how important it is to follow the rules and regulations that games and sports help us produce highly disciplined citizens, leaders, and professionals. They teach how to cooperate with each other and achieve success. It is a playground or gym where team spirit, cooperation and resilience can be best taught, games teach players how to ignore individual interests for the sake of the interests of the team and society. This teaching of sacrifice is of great social and national interest. The games also teach fair play and a belief in equality and justice. They allow us to accept defeat and victory with a joyous spirit.
Games also allow an outlet for our pent-up energy. It helps us a lot to remain in peace and without violence. When our energy is suppressed, we become irritable, moody, violent, and acts of lawlessness. Games also provide us with the best use of free time.
Famous players and athletes bring credit to themselves and the country. They are famous and popular and function as cultural ambassadors for the country. Strengthen international relations. They also develop and promote patriotism and national integration. But games are a means and not an end in themselves. They should not be practiced at the expense of studies. Excess of everything is bad. They should be played and enjoyed only at leisure. They are a true boon and blessing if done correctly and wisely.
India needs good and great players and sportsmen. They are in high demand to participate in national and international events. India’s record in this regard has been very poor. Boys and girls must be recruited from a very young age and trained in different games and sports. There should be no school without a proper playground attached to it. Mere mental education is useless without physical education. They must go hand in hand as integral parts of an education. They are complementary to each other.
