Using sports in national development.

• Author: Asghar, Arooj

Byline: Arooj Asghar

In order to understand the link between sports and national development; the logical starting point is to take an overview of the fundamental benefits of sports from the perspectives of individual requirements. Pakistan should pay more attention to the humanistic aspects of sports in order to use sports for national development. It is also important to look at sports as a means to achieve health standards, enjoyment and providing healthy activities. Secondly, to look at sports as a means to build a strong character and confidence of people of Pakistan especially youth and therefore, prepare the youth to be in a better position to meet the challenges in a competitive world.

Third and most importantly, to look at sports from a national point of view as one of the means with immense potentials to resolve conflicts and to create cohesiveness in the society by promoting unity within a nation. It is sad to see that most countries do not give much attention to sports because if every citizen is healthy and performing at optimal capacity then the society would be in a better place with more productivity and hence a vibrant economy. In short, sports must be seen as a national strategic development in terms of human resources and development.

One of the drawbacks of weak economy and industrialization (in whatever form it is in Pakistan) is mechanical lifestyle we have now adapted in Pakistan, which is directly linked to various diseases, such as heart problems, high cholesterol, mental stress, high blood pressure and on top of all that is the environmental pollution. It is important to understand that we need to have a healthier life, which is a critical dimension in the prosperity and development of Pakistan. A high health standard will translate into higher productivity and greater national prosperity. The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province who mostly live in the rural areas but mostly engage in regular physical activities have fewer problems related to sedentary life compared with the citizens from other parts of Pakistan especially Punjab.

Needless to say, sports is one of the forums that can bring people of Pakistan together for a common goal. It is even possible that sports, could succeed where even the United Nations has failed to promote world peace. There was a time when sports was even used as a political weapon to express dissatisfaction by boycotting the Olympic Games. If sports can be used to achieve political...