The first great value of sports is that they keep us physically fit and healthy.  They justify the truth behind the saying “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Sports play a significant role in building the character of a person. They instil the “sporting spirit, discipline and teamwork.” From play ground, we acquire the qualities of fair play, patience, generosity, self-control courage, concentration and comradeship.  It is said that Duke of Wellington of England had defeated  Napoleon in the battle of waterloo only   because he had taught himself these qualities in the playgrounds of Eton.

Another noble value of sports is that they create scope for national integration through “sports and games meet” at     various places in the country. It is said that “The moral of the nation is build on the sports-field”. In international sports and games where the stamina and resistance of a nation is tested, the entire nation is united irrespective of various diversities in language, religion, caste, culture & region.

Sports by teaching the spirit of healthy competition, justice and fairplay promote international peace and reduce the tensions among nations. The main purpose of modern Olympic Games are to spread the virtue of brotherhood, peace and tolerance among nations. The lack of sportsmanship in this world has seriously affected the cause of world peace.

Sports also play a significant role in providing recreation. When we are bored and exhausted by our daily works, at that time playing a game banishes all fatigue, restores our lost energy and affords us  relaxation. At the same time sports also refresh the spectators not only in the field but also all over the world through        television, radio etc.

Finally, sports contribute a lot to the sportsmen by providing them name, fame and money. Great players gain international reputation and the world  remembers them for ever. Legendary footballers Pele and Maradona, Cricketers Sir Bradsman, Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar & Lara are its burning         examples. At the same time, sports also    provide special status to a country for its achievements in various games. USA,  Russia, China are enjoying special status for winning  maximum Olympic medals. Brazil and Arjentina have the same in football and Australia in Cricket.

Undoubtedly, sports have a vital role in human life. We should follow the     English dictum - “Play up, play up, play up the game”. If we all have the qualities of sportsmanship, we can make our     country free from the maladies of         corruption, bribery, nasty politics and other evils.