Sports is a great way for kids to channel their energy, get physically active, make new friends and develop new skills. But still, the number of children involved in sports is not so satisfying as we would like it to be. Exploring the reasons why kids lose interest in sports, T.H.I.S team had a discussion with one of the most influential figures in Kenya, Dr Peter Bukhala who is also an incredible physical education teacher and lecturer. 

 

Sports Injuries 

One of the main reasons that kids often lose interest for sports is because of injuries caused by overuse. Many children (under the age of 14) don’t want to get involved with a sport because they fear injuries caused by overtrying and muscle overuse. 

Coaches & Parents

Coaches and also parents both affect the child. Coaches play a significant role in influencing their athletes. A coach that only seeks the team’s success, pays less attention to the players, that is, the children or keeps a disrespectful / strict stance towards them, can’t possibly inspire them to love the sport. Likewise, oppressive parents who agree with the coaches and also adapt a judgmental character when it comes to sports is also a significant factor. Parents should listen their kids, be on their side and help their kids progress.

Teammates 

Competitive teammates that never enjoy playing a sport can bully, judge and point at whoever teammate they don’t like. This calls for more involvement in educating our children on how to behave properly and inspire them the motto : “Teamwork makes the dreamwork”. 

 

Making sure that children naturally incorporate sports and exercise into their life is a combination of several things: leading by example, doing sports together, keeping it fun and encouraging instead of forcing sports.

Kids learn through our actions, so let’s try to combine these different examples for them. Stating that physical health is great for them is not enough to foster their love for team sports. Demonstrating how sports can positively impact them in multiple ways will possibly provide more motivation for them. Thus, they will more likely be interested to incorporate sports and exercises in their lives as they grow.

By Katerina Kontolati

Source 

Wallace K. (2016). How to make your kid hate sports without really trying. https://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/21/health/kids-youth-sports-parents/index.html