Education is not only confined to textbooks and classrooms; it is a multifaceted process that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. Among the many tools available to educators, sports and physical education stand out as transformative. These tools offer students a chance to step away from the desk, engage actively, and develop skills that go far beyond the athletic field.
It is safe to say that sports can teach children how to cope with failure, set long-term goals, and develop problem-solving skills. These qualities are purely essential not only for overcoming challenges in school but also for life outside the classroom. Japan can be taken as a case in point, where sports have been incorporated into the curriculum as a means of fostering well-rounded, resilient individuals. Japanese schools have a long tradition of encouraging students to participate in physical activities, both individually and in teams. This commitment to sports is not solely focused on competition; it is viewed as a process of personal growth, teaching children perseverance, teamwork, and how to navigate both success and failure. The emphasis on ganbatte (doing your best) and kaizen (continuous improvement) reflects a cultural approach where the process of striving for improvement is valued over mere victory. By adopting similar principles, we could harness the potential of sports to help children build persistence. However, the current sports infrastructure in Pakistan is underdeveloped, and there is often limited opportunity for children to engage in physical activities regularly. There is also a societal emphasis on academic achievement, which sometimes sidelines physical education and sports as secondary activities. To foster resilience through sports, schools need to methodically amalgamate sports into the daily lives of students, ensuring that they not only participate rigorously but also learn the valuable life skills that come with it.
Numerous governments and organisations around the world have successfully used sports to promote social change, particularly for marginalised and vulnerable groups. Right to Play is a global organisation that leverages sports and play to educate and empower children facing adversity. The organisation works in communities affected by war, poverty, and disease, using sports to build skills and promote resilience in children. Many of the programs are focused on regions affected by conflict and war, including countries in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia. For example, Right to Play has worked with children in Syria, Jordan (especially in refugee camps), and various parts of sub-Saharan Africa where communities have been displaced due to violence. The organisation also works in low-income communities, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. These regions often face a lack of educational resources and infrastructure, with children facing the added challenges of limited access to healthcare, food security, and education. Furthermore, it also operates in areas heavily impacted by disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola crisis in West Africa or regions struggling with HIV/AIDS. Right to Play has used sports to educate children on health practices, promote physical activity, and combat social stigma associated with the diseases.
The organisation runs programs for children in Bangladesh (with Rohingya refugees), Jordan, Lebanon, and Uganda, where children are often exposed to trauma, instability, and limited educational opportunities. It uses sports and play to make a positive impact on children’s lives, especially in vulnerable and challenging environments. Creating safe spaces where children can engage in structured activities, provides them with a sense of stability and security, which is crucial for their emotional and social development. In these environments, children not only enjoy recreational activities but also develop life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. These skills are really necessary for them to navigate through difficult situations both in their immediate communities and later in life. Moreover, sports programs such as this one contribute to the physical and mental well-being of children, encouraging regular exercise while cultivating improved self-esteem and mental health. These activities also help mitigate risks related to child exploitation and abuse, as they provide children with supervised spaces that keep them engaged, away from harmful situations, and in a supportive environment.
Lack of structured sports programs in the curricula contributes to physical inactivity, with our country ranking amongst the least active countries globally, where 52.6% of women and 40.6% of men are physically inactive
Likewise, Street Soccer Worldwide uses football to inspire social change by empowering disadvantaged youth. The organisation operates in multiple countries across the globe, focusing on disadvantaged and marginalised communities. It runs programs in regions where youth face challenges, such as poverty, social exclusion, and lack of opportunities. Currently, it operates in countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, including areas like Scotland, South Africa, Brazil, India, and the United States, among others. In these regions, Street Soccer Worldwide works with local partners to create football-based programs that help empower young people by teaching them life skills, providing education, and job training, and promoting positive social values. It also offers youth the opportunity to develop valuable skills and confidence through football. By participating in structured programs, young individuals not only gain athletic abilities but also life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and perseverance. This is a clear example of how sports can act as a vehicle for social mobility, providing children with the tools they need to overcome social and economic challenges. Football is one of the most widely played sports in Pakistan, with millions of children and young people actively participating. According to a report from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), football is played by an estimated 30 million people across the country, making it one of the top three most popular sports, alongside cricket and field hockey. In 2021, UNDP stated that Pakistan’s population is predominantly young, with over 64% under the age of 30, which depicts that 64% of the youth are equipped with raw energy and accessibility to football, which is a low-cost sport.
The government must allocate a tailored budget for constructing sports facilities in schools, especially in underprivileged ones. ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) 2021 highlights that over 55% of public schools lack basic playground facilities
The government must make the National Education Policy Framework a catalyst for promoting youth sports. Obviously, decisive action and mandatory sports education at primary and secondary levels ensuring at least one hour of daily physical activity is required. Take Finland as an example, where daily physical education is mandatory in schools, leading to higher fitness and academic performance. The country has implemented initiatives such as "Finnish Schools on the Move," which encourages students to engage in at least one hour of physical activity daily. This includes incorporating active breaks during lessons, promoting active commuting, and increasing physical education classes. These efforts have led to improved physical health, reduced sedentary behaviour, and enhanced academic outcomes by fostering better concentration and cognitive performance. Additionally, WHO emphasises the link between physical activity and enhanced academic achievement. Studies show that active children tend to perform better academically due to improved focus, behaviour, and cognitive function. This underscores the importance of embedding physical education into daily school routines.
Moreover, it is important to note that a lack of structured sports programs in the curricula contributes to physical inactivity, with our country ranking amongst the least active countries globally, where 52.6% of women and 40.6% of men are physically inactive (Global Status Report on Physical Activity, WHO, 2022). The government must allocate a tailored budget for constructing sports facilities in schools, especially in underprivileged ones. ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) 2021 highlights that over 55% of public schools lack basic playground facilities, affecting students' holistic development and physical well-being. Also, studies show that accessible sports facilities increase youth participation by 25% (UNESCO 2019).
Furthermore, public and private schools should join hands and organise inter-school and inter-college tournaments in diverse sports. These tournaments could be funded by both the government and private sponsorships. Enhancing access to quality sports facilities in schools and colleges, as emphasised by UNESCO, can elevate youth participation in sports by up to 25%. Taking existing models into account, such as that of the United States, which has high participation in athletics due to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), where 500,000 student-athletes compete annually. Moreover, the role of sports in education must be enhanced, and to do so, it is necessary to train educators in implementing sports curriculums effectively and to recruit specialised coaches for schools. The government should also collaborate with private organisations to establish regional sports academies and talent identification programs. Karachi United —a prominent football club based in Karachi, Pakistan, established in 1996—is more than just a professional football club; it has become a significant community-driven initiative aimed at leveraging football for social development. The club has established 11 community centres across underserved areas of Karachi, such as Lyari, Orangi Town, and Baldia. These centres offer free-of-cost football training, life skills sessions, and opportunities for youth, especially those from marginalised communities. Around 2,000 children benefit from these programs, which include access to equipment, coaching by qualified staff, and even transportation facilities. Additionally, the organisation focuses on holistic development by offering nutritional support and education for its players.
According to a report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, only 10% of public schools have playgrounds. Investing here would directly impact access to sports
In addition to this, the government could develop an app to connect students with local sports events and track participation. The app could provide a one-stop solution for promoting sports participation among students by providing them with easy access to local sports events and tools to track their involvement. It could also have features such as event discovery, registration, and performance tracking, as well as gamification elements to incentivise consistent participation. It could also include a leaderboard to showcase top performers, encourage healthy competition, and offer rewards to maintain interest. Additionally, the app would provide updates on events, locations, and logistics while enabling participants to log their activities and achievements. Moreover, the government should provide scholarships for athletes and reward schools promoting sports excellence. The PM Youth Laptop Scheme illustrates how financial incentives can boost participation in targeted areas.
The government must take decisive action by integrating sports into Pakistan's National Education Policy Framework 2024 which will foster students’ wellbeing, teamwork skills, and discipline. They must introduce a compulsory Physical Education (PE) period daily in all public and private schools from primary to secondary levels, with updated PE syllabi focusing on both physical fitness and sportsmanship. Finland ranked among the top in education, mandates daily physical activity of at least 60 minutes for students, which has been shown to improve cognitive function and overall academic performance. A study by WHO reveals that physical activity can improve academic performance by up to 20%. In addition to this, the government could always partner up with the local private organisations to build sports complexes at government schools, especially in underserved areas like Balochistan and rural Sindh. In India, the Khelo India initiative funded sports infrastructure in 12,000+ schools by 2023. Participation in sports increased by 15%, and student attendance improved by 8%. According to a report by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, only 10% of public schools have playgrounds. Investing here would directly impact access to sports. Scholarships and university admissions quotas already exist for student-athletes but the percentage of this quota should be ideally increased and this should be proposed in the National Education Policy Framework. The framework should also suggest developing school leagues on a regional level in cricket, football, and squash. Also, the government could introduce EdTech solutions in schools for monitoring students’ physical activity through apps and dashboards, ensuring adherence to national sports standards. A case in point is how Singapore implemented AI-based fitness trackers in schools to assess students' activity levels, improving engagement rates by 25%. We can develop apps similar to “Taleemabad” for sports education which can engage tech-savvy children.
Just as seeds need the nurturing touch of sunlight and rain to grow into a towering tree similarly, students require a balanced nourishment of academics and athletics to reach their full potential. If we, as a nation, invest in playgrounds as much as classrooms, we can create not only scholars but well-rounded individuals equipped to lead with strength, grace, and perseverance.