 |
 |
|
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
 |
||
Advantages |
||
A well-designed sports training provides significant physiological and psychological benefits for people of all ages. Malaika Youth Project offers exceptionally high-quality training from professional coaches and successful athletes. Our studies indicate that quality instruction is a missing but vital ingredient in some community programs. Despite government focus on the importance of sports to the young, lack of funding has caused the quality of sports programs to decline in some areas, thereby denying children the true benefits to be derived from a well-run sports program. Some of the physical and mental advantages young people can gain from sports include stress-relief, improved confidence, discipline and sharper cognitive abilities. Better hand-eye coordination and motor skills are important milestones in child-development. Sports also enable young people to deal with success and disappointment.
Physical exercise builds muscle, reduces body fat and tends to establish healthier habits overall. For example, people who are exercising and taking pride in themselves will often pass up sugary or fat-laden foods for more nutritious choices. Another key to a healthy lifestyle supported by vigorous sports is the release of the natural ‘feel good’ chemicals, endorphins. The sense of well being, lack of depression and positive self-image generated by sports activities help to discourage the use of illicit drugs. Malaika Youth Project alumni have commented that sports played a key role in their personal development, gave them the self-confidence to decline involvement with anti-social activities and eliminated the desire to take drugs. Not only had they already accomplished the perceived ‘benefits’ of drugs (the natural ‘high’ many athletes speak of), they were no longer willing to place their bodies at risk. Such a potentially life-changing shift in philosophy occurs routinely when young people are allowed the freedom to develop through supportive community sports programs. Girls in Sports Studies published by the Women's Sports Foundation show that girls with sports training are less likely to become pregnant as teenagers, less likely to begin smoking, more likely to quit smoking, more likely to do well in science, and more likely to graduate college than females who are athletically undeveloped. Female athletes also take greater pride in their physical and social selves than their sedentary peers; they are more physically active as they age; they suffer less depression. There is evidence that recreational physical activity may reduce the chances of developing breast cancer and osteoporosis. Universal Benefits
Malaika Youth Project aims to motivate and inspire young people to develop their potential through sports and education. We welcome your participation, comments or questions—please feel free to contact us via e-mail, phone or post. |
||
 |
|
|
Youth-workers have observed the importance of building a competence that the young person can be confident about, i.e. teaching him or her to do something well, then building on that as a strong foundation for other endeavours. Simple as it seems, this stepping stone to greater success may effect a dramatic change in a young person’s outlook. Where they may have cherished no academic or career goals, they will not only formulate goals but have confidence in being able to achieve them through their own diligence and determination.
Malaika Youth Project aims to alleviate intimidation some girls may feel about sports, and to encourage their active involvement through an affirmative, moderate and gradient approach.