In a digital age, football encourages life lessons beyond screens

SHAH ALAM - Football serves as a powerful avenue for aspiring athletes to build character, develop personally and acquire essential life skills, making it an invaluable tool in the education system.

Beyond its status as a popular sport, football instills critical values in children, including teamwork, discipline and resilience.

While many dream of pursuing professional football careers, the focus should also encompass the broader developmental benefits of grassroots football, which involves children of all skill levels.

Former FAM presidential candidate Sayf Ismail stressed the importance of grassroots football and youth development.

"Becoming a professional footballer is a long-term journey, often misunderstood as an overnight transformation.

"Football should be seen as more than just a stepping stone to a professional career," he said during Sinar Daily’s Sports Matters podcast.

Sayf elaborated on the profound impact football has on shaping character and fostering personal growth among young players.

He suggested that the education system could leverage the sport to cultivate valuable life skills in children.

"In today’s digital age, many younger children are engrossed in their devices, often at the expense of physical activity and interpersonal development.

"Encouraging children to step away from screens and engage on the football field teaches them how to handle victory and defeat, follow instructions, interact with others, and build friendships.

"These lessons, naturally embedded in the game, are becoming increasingly rare in a gadget-driven world," he said.

Football, according to Sayf, is an exceptional platform for fostering resilience, teamwork and discipline—qualities that are essential for comprehensive personal development.

He proposed that schools and relevant ministries recognise this potential and integrate football into strategies aimed at nurturing well-rounded individuals.

"Parents who send their children to football academies often notice benefits beyond athletic performance.

"Many observe positive changes in their children's confidence, discipline and social skills. This reinforces the idea that football is not just a sport but a transformative tool for personal development, which the education system should actively embrace," he added.

Sayf also addressed the importance of distinguishing between performance and recreation in football.

He emphasised that out of a thousand children who play the sport, only one to five are likely to pursue it professionally.

"What about the remaining 995? Their experiences with football should not be undervalued. These children gain exposure, life lessons and numerous benefits from playing the game, even if they never pursue it at a professional level," he said.

Too often, the focus is placed on the small minority who might succeed professionally, while the majority, who derive immense value from the sport, are overlooked.