Sports provides positive opportunities for children. Many parents believe that participating in sports will enhance their  minds and bodies. Good sportsmanship provides guidelines that can be generalized not only to the sports grounds and to classrooms but can become lifelong discipline to follow. It also teaches children to function in a competitive society.
Sports keeps one active and healthy. Many small schools, located in our neighborhoods, which have no play grounds or laboratories are not providing the children the chance to enjoy sports. Though Pakistan is rich in talent and many healthy activities are held to promote them we still need more emphasis on sports at all ages.
If we talk about sports such as cricket, foot ball, boxing, basket ball, hokey and tennis we can say that Pakistan has produced some distinguished names. We have so much more hidden potential all we need is a platform to show their skills.
To fulfill this desire of the youth The Government of Punjab and Sports Board Punjab launched the very successful Punjab Youth Festival. It started in 2012 where many world records were set. The objective of the festival is to provide the youth a door of opportunity to envision a bright future. The festival ignited passion, bonded the communities and provided citizens of all ages an equal opportunity to achieve their desires.
It has also provided participation opportunities to people from all walks of life. Healthy baby contest, events for senior citizens, women and prisoners participated and set some great examples. We should keep on promoting and encouraging the new talent for the betterment and development of our country.
KHALIDA PARVEEN,
Gilgit, March 19.