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Sport is an international language and has a most important part to play in today’s life. The values are not merely restricted in the old adage that it keeps you away from mischief, or as an alternative to drugs. The educational, social and health benefits are all there but somehow we either take these vital contributions for granted or we simply ignore them. It is imperative that one distinguishes top level or elite sport and sport as practised by the rest of the population. Elite sport is just 0.5 per cent of the equation. A common definition of ‘sports’ refers to “all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being and forming social relationships, or obtaining results in competition at all levels.” That definition includes everyone, ranging from those with special needs, to the world-class performers. If I was to rant like unprepared politicians, I would say sport participation includes all sectors, kids, parents, middle-aged and middleclass, rich, poor, soldiers, inmates, senior citizens, in short everyone alive, in his or her own way. Sport knows no colour or creed, social status, or sectors.
The practise of sport is a complicated issue as it is fulfilled only through adequate facilities run and maintained regularly by competent people, depending entirely on the voluntary sector and professional administrators, through a well-drafted programme that needs qualified coaches and officials.
Of course there is a connexion between a healthy mind and a healthy body, and that sport is good for you with the other popular tag ‘that a healthy nation will save the Treasury a lot of money’, which could be used for important projects. These are all sweet words that the average citizen has had enough of, like the rhetorical words uttered by politicians and others.
Modern lifestyle
Today’s technological world is bringing about comforts that lead to a more sedentary lifestyle which has a very negative effect on the health of the individual. The writer calls it ‘the disease of well-being’. Lack of exercise leads to many health problems; one of the most common is diabetes. In Malta diabetes affects 10 per cent of all those who are 35 plus, and a further 13 per cent suffer impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Obesity is surely one of the most serious headaches for the health authorities, as it requires immediate surgery. Today’s young generation is ignoring outdoor activities while indulging in junk food and unhealthy diets, spending hours in front of computers, televisions and video games.
We have had a shocking report about obesity in Malta. According to a report from the World Health Organisation, Maltese 13-year olds are in the top obesity bracket, the number is even higher than that of the Americans who do not hide the problem of fat people, especially youngsters. A Maltese study showed that 13.5 per cent of boys and 17 per cent of girls aged 13 are obese. Alarming figures indeed!
In Italy a researched study showed that 36 per cent of the Italian children are obese, and worse still 5.4 million of the population are found in the same category. Naturally the figures are much higher than those of thirty years ago! It was found out that 71 per cent of the children aged between six and eleven spend six hours watching television!
No wonder gymnasia and sport centres are never crowded!
Sicilian example
A highly positive approach to this problem was introduced recently in nearby Ragusa in Sicily where the local councillor responsible for sport Nino Minardo sent an appeal to all households requesting parents of children between six and fourteen years to switch off their televisions for three days after drafting a programme of sport manifestations with all local sport organisations. His effort will hopefully be repeated at regular intervals in order to create a new culture for sport.
The project also involves Modica and Cosimo and the aim is to get youngsters and possibly their parents, involved in sport practice, three times a week. This should be a challenge to the Maltese authorities especially when one learns that about 26 per cent of students, mostly in primary schools miss their weekly lesson in physical education! To come to my pet horse, gymnasia should be opened after school hours, so that the members of the community under proper guidance indulge in physical activities. It should not be such a big a problem in the year of our Lord 2005!
Society as a whole, together with all the partners concerned like public authorities, commercial organisations, the voluntary sector sports organisations and not least the families and schools, has a duty to provide young people with the opportunities for young people with appropriate and well-balanced programmes so that our youngsters are involved in sport and physical activity.
The overall wellbeing of a person comes before any other consideration and with this in mind, it is imperative that the question is appropriately tackled by a convincing approach with clear targets, which simply means that intelligent well-planned programmes are carried out through concrete action.
Such programmes should aim at developing mental, physical and social qualities, while understanding ethical values and fair play, discipline and rules. These will help our youngsters to learn self-control, gain self-esteem, develop self achievement and acquire healthy lifestyles. The competent authorities should get down to business and start implementing useful programmes.
If this is too much for us, then we might as well pack up, or increase the number of wards at the new hospital.
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