Kids, ditch the gadgets for sports
As a sports journalist I am surrounded by champions on a daily basis.
These are regular people whose sole aim in life is to continually improve themselves in their respective fields through passion, commitment and a never-say-die attitude.
Most great sportsmen and women will tell you that success does not just happen.
It is the final result that emanates from countless days, weeks, months and years of blood, sweat and tears.
In Benoni there are a number of prime examples of champions who have earned their stripes through complete perseverance and sheer guts.
Then there are also the upcoming champions who are already showing all the telltale signs of becoming truly illustrious world beaters.
It seems to be on the golf course where an array of young talent is coming through the ranks.
Just last weekend at Benoni Country Club’s club championship nine-year-old Kiera Floyd held off the challenge from vastly experienced senior golfers to become the club’s Women’s Champion.
There is no doubt that this youngster as well as many other Benoni club-swingers will continue to fly the flag on courses around the world.
I had the opportunity to hop onto a boat last weekend at the Gauteng Canoe Marathon hosted by the Ekurhuleni Kayak Club (ERK) at Homestead Dam and witness upcoming young paddlers, known as Guppies, propelling themselves across the icy water without fear or concern.
They proved to me that there are still many children out there who would rather ditch the iPads and Cartoon Network to build that champion within.
Sure, not every young person who takes up a sport is going to be the best thing since sliced bread but the simple fact that these kids are prepared to break a sweat and participate in a physical activity gives me hope that Generation Z will not be the socially awkward, backwards generation that modern media may suggest that they will become.
So, get your kids playing a sport be it badminton, soccer, wrestling, jukskei, whatever – the life lessons that are learnt and the ethics and morals that are taught in sport can not be found at the bottom of a Happy Meal.
LG
