On the sport bandwagon

> Raising a future successful athlete involves a lot of effort and commitment not only from the child but also the parents

DO YOUR children have a passion for a particular sport? Whether it’s badminton or swimming, taekwondo or football, they may be so good at a particular sport that they want to take it to the next level, and even compete in tournaments.

It could be that your children don’t actually have a natural affinity for sport but you get them involved as a means for them to develop discipline and character.

Parents should also embrace sporting activities themselves in order to set an example to their children.

Chances are high that their children may excel in their chosen sport, and want to pursue it further.

Whichever category your children may fall under, your support is important for them to succeed in their sporting pursuit.

Before you let them go the whole hog, ask yourself these questions:

Are you able to afford it? Yes, there are great sportsmen who have succeeded despite their poverty.

Pele, one of the greatest footballers ever, was so poor that he couldn’t afford a football. He improvised with a sock stuffed with newspaper and tied up with string.

But these days, parents want the best options for their children.

You want to be able to pay for competent coaches, proper equipment, vitamins, nutritious food, and much more.

If your child is talented, a prestigious sports scholarship in secondary school or college could be in his/her future, but you must have enough in your coffers to last till then.

Do you have the time? When people are sleeping snugly in their cosy beds, you have to rise at four in the morning to send your children for training.

If the venue is too far away from home, you have to hang around there for two to three hours until practice is done.

When there is an out-oftown tournament, you may often be called to drive them there.

These are things that you must be prepared to set aside time, energy and effort for.

Can you support them emotionally? Can you put up with their highs and lows, and everything in between?

Whether it’s to celebrate when they succeed, to bolster them when they face defeat, or to consistently motivate them, do you have what it takes for the long, arduous journey?

If you answer yes to all three questions and your kids are really passionate about their chosen sport, then you are ready to join the hallowed ranks of sporting parents.

In the words of professional cyclist and sports psychologist K.C. Wilder: “Be the facilitator in the process of helping your child find happiness in their sports life.

“Emphasise that success is their performance, not the outcome of the game.

“By concentrating on the process, you will avoid putting extra pressure on or setting high expectations for your child.

“The more your child is striving for the pursuit of excellence and letting go of the pursuit of perfection, the more satisfied they will be with their performance.

“They will have more positive energy and a better emotional mindset, and by letting go of the fear of failure, will be better able to actualise their full potential as athletes.”

Wonderful advice that can be applied not just in sport, but in other areas of life.