SWAT: Children displayed martial arts skills, including taekwondo, during a competition held in a private school in Mingora here on Saturday. Students from grades one to four displayed their skills in the event.

Parents and teachers also attended the event.

“I love martial arts, particularly taekwondo. Today I displayed Poomsae skills and felt good when I received applause from people,” said Sheharyar Khan, a grade four student.

The students said taekwondo was a unique sport that kept them physically fit and helped them defend themselves against any threat.

Abdullah Taj, an instructor, said children loved to learn taekwondo.

“Such activities give children fun and energy, enable them to focus on studies, improve school attendance and perform better in academics. Sports build a strong, healthy body, develop social and problem-solving skills and self-confidence in children,” he said.

Other speakers on the occasion said educational institutes needed to give more importance to sports, an essential segment of education.

“Sports are vital to stay fit physically, which is part of education of children, but unfortunately, a majority of educational institutes don’t give importance to it,” said Ayesha Farooq, principal of the college.

She said a healthy environment in schools helped students achieve better academic potential and develop lifelong healthy habits.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2022