In a world where sports becomes not only entertainment but also a key factor in shaping a healthy lifestyle and personal development, fairness and equal opportunities for every child become extremely important. The current reality shows that not everyone has equal access to sports, which jeopardizes their opportunities for self-realization and growth.
Over the past few years, there has been a decline in children’s participation in team sports, which is a troubling sign for our society. Specifically, regular participation in sports among youth aged 6–17 has decreased, as well as the number of teenagers aged 13-17 playing games and engaging in sports has noticeably decreased, and this is a very concerning statistic.
(report State of Play 2023 https://projectplay.org/state-of-play-2023-introduction )
Perhaps more children are finding interests in other areas such as video games, social media, or individual adventurous activities. This could be because the dedication required for regular participation in team sports demands significant effort and financial investment, often making sports inaccessible to children, especially in rural areas.
However, there is a positive trend in the growing interest of children aged 6-12 in soccer. As it is a fairly intense and popular sport among youth, it fosters critical thinking and strategic skills, as well as promotes teamwork.
Basketball emerged as the most popular sport among youth after the pandemic, according to 2022 data. Nearly one in four young people played basketball at least once during the year. This is a significant increase compared to other sports, which either experienced a decrease in participation or remained at the same level between 2019 and 2022. For example, participation in baseball decreased by 6%, and in soccer by 1%. Basketball saw a 15% increase in participants, surpassing other sports. In 2022, basketball had 3.6 million more participants than any other sport, and the total number of participants across different sports increased by 2 million since 2019.
To change this situation, it is necessary to intensify efforts to create more accessible conditions for participation in sports, especially for underprivileged children and those living in rural areas. This is achievable through initiatives by the School Sport Foundation aimed at providing children with necessary sports equipment, organizing events, and restoring sports complexes.
Our mission is to provide every child with the opportunity to develop through sports, receiving not only enjoyment but also benefits for their physical and psychological well-being. We believe that every child has the right to equal opportunities for development through sports. Therefore, we urge everyone who shares our values to join our efforts in ensuring a better future for our children.
