Sports can offer many different opportunities. They give opportunities to people who want to achieve their dreams and make themselves famous for what they’re good at. Moreover, sports offer a pathway to higher education and professional opportunities.
There are a lot of colleges known mostly for sports and physical education, such as U.C.L.A and many others. These colleges will send scouts to find skilled and dedicated athletes to join their school and win their college many trophies. After college, most of these athletes will either try to join a professional sports league, or pursue something else, opening up their career path.
Career paths are a big thing; many colleges and universities offer scholarships for talented athletes, providing them with the chance to pursue their education while continuing to excel in their chosen sport. For those with exceptional skills and dedication, sports can even lead to professional careers as athletes, coaches, or sports administrators. Many people who aren’t as academically accomplished rely on sports for their future. When asked whether they have witnessed any instances where sports have created opportunities for students, Laila Morgan, 9th, says, “Maybe you’re not good at academics and you’re good at physical activity so you get a scholarship from that”.
Sports also enhance your physical health, and physical activity is a need for the body. When you participate in sports, you engage in physical activities like running, jumping, and throwing, which can improve your strength, endurance, and flexibility. Sports also help maintain a healthy weight. With a healthy body, you can achieve a healthy mind; both are needed for you to max out your opportunities.
Beyond the physical aspect, sports also provide opportunities for personal growth and skill development. Participating in sports teaches valuable life lessons such as teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and leadership. Being part of a team fosters a sense of teamwork and encourages individuals to work together towards a common goal. These skills can be transferred to various aspects of life, including education, career, and personal relationships. Athletes can be considered some of the most disciplined and dedicated people due to their sport. Whether it’s with their health or competing with a team or for a goal to achieve, all athletes must be dedicated and disciplined. Dedication is a key factor in Islam too. If we do not dedicate ourselves to Allah (swt) we tend to forget and become less focused on our deen. Discipline, another key factor, teaches us to not follow our nafs, and give in to our haram desires. Basketball player Hamza Azab, 11th, says, “It helps with leadership skills, hard work, and dedication.”
Whether it’s playing on a team, participating in individual sports, or simply being a spectator, participation in sports offers a whole world of new opportunities for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. The Brighter Horizon Academy Athletics Director, Adeel Sahibzada, was a Basketball coach, but then went on to pursue teaching, and says his experience has led him to connect with people from various backgrounds. “Sports is the only thing that will unite people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, from different ethnolinguistic backgrounds and social orientations.”
