All of us have several needs and requirements. The basic essentials of life are undoubtedly food, clothing and shelter. In order to provide ourselves with these we are occupied in some work or other. In order to avoid becoming dull all of us involve ourselves in some form of play. Games and sports form part of such play or entertainment. As such their value is beyond question. However, is entertainment the sole value of games and sports? Do they serve a more important function?
There is a famous saying by the Duke of Wellington that the battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton. By this he meant that boys learned courage, manliness, the fighting spirit, honor and fair play in games, the will to win, and these virtues make them great soldiers when their country calls them to the field of battle. The Duke intended to show that sports not only entertain but also educate us in the virtues which help to win the battle of life and the struggle for existence.
Participation in sports and games strengthens character. Life is a struggle, a constant fight against difficulties, against adversities, against disappointments. The man who has not developed the strength of character and the moral strength to fight back will resign himself to what he calls his fate. He is a moral coward. He is not a sportsman. For the true sportsman defeat is a challenge and will only spur him to greater efforts.
It is of course a common knowledge that sports helps a person to improve and maintain his physical condition. The person who takes part regularly in games will not only have a good physique but will also be relatively free from the usual minor ailments that trouble those who are less active. Sportsmen thus usually remain physically fit.
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