Cabnson Magaya
There
is a famous adage which states that all work and no play makes Jonny a dull
boy. In the simplest form, the statement stresses the importance of sports in
the life of an individual. In order to have a healthy body, a person should do
some physical exercises time and again by, for instance, taking a walk.
Sport
is no longer considered by the international community as a luxury in society but
rather as a tool which fosters social, political and economic development. The
use of sports has been recognised for the important role it can play at individual,
community, national and global levels. The United Nations (UN) in 2002 said: Sport
is about humanity and together with sport and through sport; a better world
will be created.
Sport
has been declared a basic human right. It is not a privilege to be enjoyed by a
chosen few, but a fundamental right for everyone.
Sport
is any form of physical activity which through casual or organised
participation and regulated by rules which are internationally accepted aims at
personal development and enjoyment, satisfaction, or improvement of physical
fitness, mental and emotional well-being, focusing on social relationships and
realisation of results in competitions at all levels. Sport is a form of
recreation. A person needs some time to relax and watch games. Nowadays
stadiums are filled to capacity by people who are interested in watching
various games being played.
Sport
is big business nowadays by which many people are earning a decent living. We
have football legendaries like Benjamin Mwaruwaru, Peter Ndlovu and many other
professional footballers who have made it in life by playing soccer at
professional level. We have the likes of our present Sports minister Kirsty
Coventry who has made it life as a professional swimmer. In boxing for example
professional boxers have earned thousands of dollars within a short space of
time after defeating or being defeated by their opponents. Many other sportsmen
have made a living in other sporting disciplines like rugby, cricket and
others.
Sport
can open avenues for other employment to some sportsmen. Companies like Caps
United and Ngezi Platinum FC offer decent employment opportunities to talented
footballers. Sport encourages team work, social integration and tolerance. In
Shona we say “Gumwe rimwe haritswanyi inda” (A small thumb cannot destroy lice.
It needs the whole hand). A member of a team will always remember that he would
not achieve good results if he does not work with other people.
A
team member will always want to perform at his best in order to fulfil the
vision of the group. Sport encourages cooperation between members of a team. It
goes a long way in building character and acceptable behaviour.
The
new curriculum framework for primary and secondary education say ‘every learner
should proudly identify themselves as Zimbabwean irrespective of the diversity
of origin of socio economic status’ (Curriculum 2015-2022 Handbook Pg 19).
Sport therefore helps to instil a spirit of patriotism in many players. Many
legendary sportsperson have been very proud to represent Zimbabwe in the All
Africa Games, Olympics and many other international tournaments and
competitions. I have always been deeply touched when watching international
games, especially at the beginning of the matches when our National Anthem is
sung. This occasion helps a great deal in instilling a sense of patriotism in
both the player and the spectators. To represent one’s country is a great
responsibility.
Players
will always try to do their best in order to keep their national flag flying
high. Some primary and secondary school students have had the honour to represent
their country Zimbabwe in various sporting disciplines. NAPH and NASH have in
the past sent students to SADC countries like South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and
Botswana to take part in various sporting competitions.
Sport
helps to increase the students’ geographical knowledge of other countries.
Since we live in a global village, sport enables students to appreciate and
accommodate the cultures and customs of other countries. This is very
important. Before the introduction of new curriculum subjects like Physical
Education, although on the timetable, it was poorly taught and at other times
and places not taught at all. Our Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education
through the New Curriculum has included Physical Education and Sport as one of
the main subjects that must be learnt by the students. This is applauded. By virtue
of its vocational nature, Physical Education covers a wide range of topics and
includes human anatomy and the importance of the various sporting disciplines.
In order for the subjects to be given the importance it deserves the Ministry
of Primary and Secondary Education has made Physical Education an examinable
subject.
What schools should do
in order to promote sport.
·
Most
schools in our country have been accustomed to the traditional sporting
activities like Athletics for the first time. Football, netball and volleyball
have always been played in the second term. The third term is reserved for
music and traditional dances. Some of the former Group A schools in the urban
areas have been able to introduce other sporting disciplines like cricket,
rugby, swimming, badminton, handball, tennis and others. Other schools have
gone to the extent of introducing chess and many other games. In most cases,
very few pupils have been able to participate in most of these sporting
activities because of the limited number of players in each sporting
discipline. It is therefore very important that our schools introduce a variety
of sporting activities where individual talent can be tapped and developed. It
should be encouraged that a student be involved in at least two sporting
disciplines of their choice and interest.
·
Our
teacher-training colleges should be fully-equipped to train teachers for those
various sporting disciplines.
·
All
the playing fields at schools should be properly marked and maintained throughout
the year so that pupils can play games according to their rules. Some athletic
tracks are only marked properly during the first term when athletics
competitions are held. After the competitions, the running tracks will no
longer be visible. Long and high jump pits should be well-maintained and usable
throughout the year so that the students who are interested in running and
jumping will continue to practise and develop their skills.
·
Students
should be encouraged to form clubs where their talents can further be
developed. For example, students who are interested in cricket can form a
Cricket Club. Expects can be invited to come and assist interested students in
the development of their skills. This can be applied in other sporting
activities. Talent identification should be a continuous process.
Malpractices which must
be eliminated in sport
Sporting
in our schools is sometimes marred by the following malpractices which, in most
cases, are perpetrated by teachers and NOT by pupils.
·
Age-cheating
has spoilt the smooth running of our schools sporting competitions. Some schools
have gone to the extent of fielding pupils into wrong age groups. Teachers are
the main culprits and some have gone to the extent of giving pupils birth
certificates that do not belong to them so that they can qualify for various
age group categories. This completely neglects the values of ubuntu, integrity,
conviction and commitment to do what is right; values that our new curriculum
wishes to inculcate. In order to minimise age-cheating in sport, it is
recommended that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education work hand in
hand with the office of the Registrar General to make sure that all the
enrolled learners have birth certificates. Claim registers can also be used to
check the authenticity of the pupils’ record of birth.
·
In
one district where I was once the Education Officer, members of one big school
connived to field a young boy into the one hundred metre race for girls. The
young boy was given a dress to put on. He was thus allowed to participate in
the girls’ race. He performed so well that he was almost five metres or more
ahead of his runner ups. The other teachers had obtained information to the
fact that the winner of the race was a boy so some couches began to complain
and accuse that particular school of cheating. It was finally decided that the
boy be taken to the girls’ changing room where lady teachers would verify the
gender. The young boy refused to go to the changing room and he told the track
judges that he had been given a dress by his teachers and had been told to behave
and act like a girl. The head of the school was a well-respected member. He was
put to shame. The district officials who were there reprimanded the head and
instructed him to discipline the teacher who had schemed the shameful thing.
·
Some
teachers borrow players from school leavers’ clubs or nearby schools and fit
them into their own teams. This can be called sports corruption.Pupils do not
like this practice because they will be deprived of their right to participate
and represent their own schools.
·
Some
teachers often interfere with the referees or umpires decisions. In some cases
they shout at the referees using unprofessional language. This must be stopped.
·
Some
track judges have gone to the extent of giving wrong winning cards to wrong
competitors in order to favour their school zones or districts. This deprives
the deserving participants from receiving their right prices.
What can teachers do to
develop sport and the spirit of good sportpersonship in their schools?
·
Train
children to play games fairly and according to their rules.
·
Children
should be trained to win games with honour and to love with dignity.
·
They
should be encouraged to persevere and finish their races.
·
Teachers
should identify and develop pupils’ talents by making sure that they are
encouraged to practice throughout the year. This will go a long way in
developing pupils to their fullest potential. Pupils should also be trained to
play their games in a dignified manner and should desist from rough play.
·
Sporting,
if well-organised, provides a lot recreation for our school children. It also
goes a long way in portraying the good image of the school. Parents and
communities are always proud of good sporting results. Lastly and most
importantly, we should remember that sporting is a vocation.
C. Magaya 0784949878
