If there is one field of life which teaches us the most valuable lessons about perseverance, patience in fact what constitutes a perfect character, it is sports.
Known for the simplicity and hospitality of its people, the upazila town of Chirirbandar in Dinajpur district of northern Bangladesh came to limelight and recognition from all around for hosting a prestigious event.
After a break of several years due to the lingering fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rural institute organized one of its most memorable events this year. The Inter-House Sports Meet embodies the zeal, talents and spirit of sportsmanship of the resident students of Amena-Baki Residential School and College encouraging them to be persistent and to refine their talents, achieving the greatest of the heights.
The most anticipated event of the year commenced with the arrival of the distinguished guests every day. They are Khalid Hasan, Chirirbandar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) (1st day), Debashis Chowdhury, Additional Deputy Magistrate (Education & ICT) of Dinajpur (2nd day), Upazila Secondary Education Officer Fazle Elahi (3rd day) and Dr Shamima Amjad, Chairperson, Academic Council, Amena-Baki Residential School and College (4th day). Principal Colonel (Retired) Kazi Shahabuddin Ahmed welcomed the chief guests with lovely bouquets and escorted them to the dais.
As a rich tribute to 52 years of independence, the Opening Ceremony, focusing on the Red and Green colour was a brilliant Physical Training (PT) by the resident students, dressed in school dresses. A robust mind and a lively body is the fundamental requirement to live a long and happy life with message in mind, the PT display was aimed to enlighten all the merits of living a fit and healthy life.
The programme was followed by the College March Past. After the hoisting of the National Flag and the singing of the National Anthem by the guests, staff and the students alike, the Oath- Taking Ceremony took place pledging to uphold the honour and the spirit of true sportsmanship.
On conclusion of everyday events, prizes were distributed to the victorious participants. This was followed by cultural programmes for four days. Participating students of four Houses appealed to the patriotic feelings of all with their eye-catching performance. The cultural events were yet compelling display of talent which stressed upon to need to assert oneself, to break free from shackles and say no to bullying.
Amena-Baki Residential School and College Founder Professor Dr M Amjad Hossain has always been a guiding light for 2,500 residential and non-residential students of the institute. The Swadhinata Padak (Independence Award) winning Social Worker underscored the importance of sports in schools and colleges. Marking the Inter-House Sports Meet of Amena-Baki Residential School and College, the war-wounded heroic Freedom Fighter has stated that sports develop the physical as well as mental strength in students. Daily physical exercise is essential for students because exercise not only helps students to stay healthy, but it also helps to improve their emotional fitness.
Sports should be a major part of the school curriculum because if students stay emotionally and physically healthy, they can easily focus on their studies. Students have to participate in school sports to increase confidence, mental alertness, and self-esteem. Sports are important in educational institutes because it helps to teach various skills to students like leadership, patience, patience, team efforts, and social skills. Prof Amjad narrated below some benefits of the importance of sports in educational institutes:
1. Stay Healthy
Sports help students to stay healthy. If students do daily physical activities, then it helps them to avoid unwanted illness. Nowadays students eat a lot of junk food which is not suitable for their health. So to stay healthy sports is essential for students.
Sports help students to increase cardiovascular fitness and also increase bone density. It also helps to reduce the blood sugar levels, chronic muscular tension, and strengthen the lungs. Students become more energetic because of sports.
2. Good Fitness Level
Nowadays, students eat a lot of junk food, and they gain fat at a very young age. So to reduce the fatness sports activities are very important for students. Sports activities avoid the formation of excess fat, and students stay fit and slim.
Daily sports activities help students to maintain a good fitness level. The interest in outdoor games also reduces indoor activities like watching television and video games.
3. Develop Leadership skills
In sports activities, students not only play the role of team players but sometimes they also have to play the role of leader. Knowing that they have to lead the team will boost their leadership qualities.
And this helps them to become good decision-makers. Being a leader, their duty is not just to lead the team but also need to boost and appreciate the team.
4. Positive Mentoring
During sports activities, every sportsperson is encouraged by their parents, coaches, and the support staff for achieving success. This positive mentoring will also help students in other phases of their life. Students will learn to perform better and achieve success in their life.
Positive mentoring also allows students to develop a positive mindset. They don’t feel upset when they lose any game. They respect the Authorities’ decision and accept their failures.
5. Boost Emotional Fitness
The physical activities help students to refresh their minds and create happiness in them. Sports also help students to stay cheerful and emotionally fit by reducing stress and mental depression.
If students are emotionally and mentally healthy, then it can also help in their studies and help them to achieve their goals. If students increase their interest in sports activities, they can also make it a passion and also make a career from it.
6. Develop Social Life
Sports also develop the social life of students. When students are part of any sports team, so it helps them to interact with many people of different ages. It’s easier for students to make new friends and respect the difference with an open mindset.
Interaction with senior students and coaches encourages them and helps to face everything with a happy face. It also helps to develop confidence in students to come forward to face the problems and never stay back.
7. Develop Discipline
Sports activities establish the qualities of discipline which help in every field of life. The sports activities teach the physical mental and tactical training to students. Students should have to follow the rules and regulations of the game, obey and respect the decision of the coach.
By doing this, students can realize their goals and help them to gain success.
8. Better Performance in Academics
The sports activities can also help students to perform better in academics. The daily physical activities help students to improve their memory and refresh their minds.
If sports are part of daily routine, then students can perform better in their academics. Because students become physically and mentally healthy, so this will help them to focus on their studies.
9. Develop Self-esteem
Sports activities can help students to develop self-confidence and self-esteem. Even small things in sports can enhance the student’s self-esteem. From regular sports activities, students can also work on their weakness and practice until they see success and improvement.
10. Develop Cooperation and Teamwork
When students are participating in any sports matches or competitions, then they need good teamwork, cooperation, and coordination. Learning these skills during sports activities also helps them in various phases of their life, like in academics or future careers. Students also learn how to cooperate with other teammates to win and enable to respect the other point of views.
The writer is a columnist. E-mail: [email protected]
