Why you should encourage your children/wards in sports

I have discovered a kind of habit among parents around me not enabling their children to participate in sports for a variety of reasons. My aunt stops her son from participating in Africa wrestling with the reason that wrestling is a violent sport. Even when I point out that the boy will be playing with his age mates and they got coaches in the stadium guiding teenagers she still kept her stance against wrestling.

Another teenage boy I know who loves engaging in the sports of football was ban by both his mum and dad to stop playing football that he needs more time to focus on his studies and football his a distraction. His parents have perpetually planned out his life for him. Their wish is for him to take his science subjects seriously and after secondary school, get a B.sc in medicine and surgery.

I spoke to the boy and he said he wants to be like J.J Okocha (an ex Nigerian football player and legend in the Nigeria sports community) but his parents ain't getting it.

So I am writing this piece with the intention of creating more light to parents on why they should encourage their children/wards in sports.

1) Sports is a good way to keep fit:

Any parent that wants their child to grow healthy and be upright should know sports is a good way teens and children can keep fit because it encourages balance, stimuli, fighting the rate of falling ill and so on.

2) It encourages teamwork and social skills

Through sporting activities, children get to interact with their peers, work together to achieve a common goal. They learn how to understand others' feelings, opinions and communicate effectively, bringing out good social skills in them which can apply in the long run as adults.

3) Reduce social vices:

Sport is a good way through which teenagers can channel their rebellion and any feeling of anger, anxiety in a positive way. This enables them from not engaging in rowdy social vices as an idle mind they say is the devil's workshop.

4) is a good choice of Career:

Unlike what some parents think about sports being some sort of play, sports can be a good career choice. Not every kid will be an accountant, lawyer, engineer or doctor. Some have these special skills in them that can make them to be successful in sports as a carrier. So parents should stop limiting their kids because most sports players out there earn more than those who went for professional courses.

Not saying studying a professional is bad or isn't worth it. But I believe every child got to make a say about his/her choice career-wise.

Thanks for stopping by. I remain @prechyrukky, will appreciate every suggestions and contributions in the comment box