Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Arif Butt has said that sports activities promote social and moral development and provide opportunities to learn, assess and develop social competence.
He was addressing a seminar on the 'Role of Sports in Social Development, and certificates distribution ceremony for position holders of curricular and extra-curricular activities at the Institute of Social and Cultural Studies (ISCS).
He said that physical play during infancy and early childhood is central to development of social and emotional competence. "For youth to learn about fair play, sports activities must be designed to facilitate cooperation rather than just competition," he said.
He said that one of the best ways that participation in sports can teach the children about fair play is through teaching the rules of the game and more importantly abiding by the rules in competition.
The VC said that practice of sports is a recognised instrument for promoting peace as it regards both geographical borders and social classes and it also plays a significant role as a promoter of social integration and economic development in different geographical, cultural and political contexts.
He said that it has the ability to strengthen social ties and promote ideals of peace, fraternity, solidarity, non-violence, tolerance and justice. Tackling problems can be eased as sport has the ability to bring people together, he added.
Department of Sports and Physical Education Director Dr Asghar Javed also spoke. His Institute of Social and Cultural Studies counterpart Dr Muhammad Hafeez presented performance report of the Institute and discussed the objectives of the seminar.