Sports play a crucial role in a person’s life, even when people don’t realise it. In some ways, people do get involved in sports, as the human body is made for movement and not stagnation. Competitive sports have been part of human civilization in recorded history, be it Gladiators of Rome competing in the Colosseum for their lives, or Olympians of Greece competing in different sporting activities be it a Javelin throw or a relay race. Over time, sports took on a different approach but the importance of sports has always been there.
In the modern-day world, sports, however important, seem to have taken a backseat as gadgets took over and virtual reality games became a new norm. Now, instead of taking to the field, youngsters prefer a more ‘convenient’ option, that of Virtual Reality. The world of Virtual Reality is such which makes youngsters addicted, case studies have shown that due to high dopamine levels and low serotonin levels, youngsters cannot seem to detach themselves from their game, which has unfortunately led to deaths and in some extreme cases killings. Now when one is exposed to such violence, it is to be expected that the tolerance level of anyone would plummet, and that is what is exactly happening now. Psychologists are worried that the addiction to VR games is damaging the future.
On the flip side, the solution seems simple, if youth were to engage in a more strenuous activity, which did not require sitting on a couch, playing a character in a game, the body would naturally detox. It is however, easier said than done, as the attention span has decreased from 7 to 5 seconds in youngsters aged between 16-25, the lack of motivation to move is making the youth stagnant. Therefore, one cannot deny the importance of physical sports’ role in anyone’s life.
Sports simultaneously provide physical and emotional benefits that last a lifetime. The question is why do sports play such a vital role in a person’s life? The answer is simple, it helps in problem solving to team building, from strategizing to collaboration, the very act of sports itself helps a person in other aspects of life. It gives mental clarity and helps cope with issues related to depression or aggression, as it provides an outlet in a healthy way.
It stands to reason that being active leads to better quality of life, also it offers one the opportunity to become an International Star, which helps not only the individual but also the nation at large. As in the recent case of Arshad Nadeem, who won the Gold Medal for Pakistan in a Javelin throw, brought home a gold medal after 32 years, and the whole nation cheered. This is the reason why competitive sports are so important as the entire country comes together to support the team or the individual.
As teams grow stronger, so do the nations’ pride in their sportsmen, take for example the case of South Africa which hosted the Football World Cup in 2010, and Nelson Mandela got to see the nation come together ‘under the sun’.
Pakistan is no different, there was a time when Hockey and Cricket were played by youngsters on the streets, the passion was real. People would gather around their television sets to watch Pakistan being represented on an international arena, they would cheer on as the players took to the fields. Time, however, can be cruel, and the once glorious team, especially Hockey, became a shadow of its former self, where once champions like Jehangir Khan were undefeated, now it is just a tiresome sport for the youth. Gadgets have distracted people from physical activity, and they find it difficult to have a hobby which involves physical movement, but as a nation, Pakistan still has excellent talent in all sporting fields.
As the population grew, so did vast structures, which also impeded one’s ability to explore the sporting arena. What is crucial at the moment is to give space to the youth to engage in sporting activities. DHA Karachi has managed to do just that in the concrete jungle we call Karachi, a space where youngsters and the ‘not so young’ can enjoy their favourite sport. In the busy area of Khadda Market (DHA Karachi) is the Zamzama Club, one can see the ‘Legends Arena Sign, shining brightly in the very heart of the busy shopping and eating area. The club offers an array of sports’ activities with legends like Jehangir Khan investing in a squash court or Afridi investing on a cricket pitch. Youngsters and the ‘not so young’ alike, have a place to play, if nothing else the walking track is there to get the heart pumping and to work up a good sweat. It is also very heartening to see that women have also taken a keen interest in paddle tennis, and they can be seen playing enthusiastically at dusk, concentrating on the game. There is a sense of safety and comradery among them.
Jehangir Khan who has built a Squash Court in the aptly named ‘Legends Arena’, says that, “players should focus more on their fitness, which improves their stamina and therefore their game, you know Squash is a game of total focus and stamina, you need to be physically fit and have excellent eye and hand coordination for this game.”
What only athletes realise (maybe), that not only do sports keep one healthy, different sports have different health benefits, especially the hand, eye coordination which is key in so many other areas of one’s life. It is therefore very clear why sports play such a crucial role in our lives, so gadgets may be the ‘trend’, but the value of actual sports can never be diminished. What is the need of the hour is to provide spaces for the youth to play sports, DHA Karachi’s initiative to encourage sports is a step in the right direction, and more spaces need to be given so that the youth find their own footing in their favourite game, and bring home the ‘glory’.