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Sport and physical activity have been shown to promote positive physical and mental health for all but particularly for persons with disabilities. For those with disabilities, sport can provide this critically important aspect of rehabilitation and can accelerate the return to society as a productive citizen. In underdeveloped nations, access to physical rehabilitation after acquiring a serious physical injury or debilitating disease is limited or nonexistent, resulting in the persons inability to physically perform typical jobs due to their physical limitations. Without access to this sport/rehabilitation, the person with a physical disability is driven to rely exclusively on welfare and/or begging to survive.
Sport and physical activity have been shown to build self-esteem particularly for girls, women and persons with disabilities, who are often marginalized. Offering positive sport experiences is critical for the development of mental and emotional well-being.
With sport and physical activity programs, leaders have the opportunity to educate or steer participants in a variety of areas, not only the sport itself, but also in health and wellness, disease prevention (HIV/AIDS, Malaria, etc), cooperative team-building and other numerous possibilities.
Many societies globally exclude women, girls, and persons with disabilities in sport and physical activities. By participating in sport and physical activity, these groups are enlightened and empowered as they learn of their physical, mental and emotional capacities while overcoming the challenges offered by rigorous physical effort. Additionally, while working with others, they learn the importance of teamwork, playing by the rules, and strategizing for success
Sport often attracts individuals who have potential for leadership. Playing sport, and particularly team sport, allows individuals with leadership skills to rise to the top as they interact with their teammates and coaches. Leadership training experts can capitalize on these sport experiences and develop effective leaders for many other aspects of community life.
Through sport participation and particularly team sport, individuals learn the importance of cooperation, teamwork and understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others. Likewise, when persons from different societies, nations, genders, religions, socio-economic backgrounds interact through sport participation they begin to better understand one another, develop connections and enjoy lasting friendships.
Sport is "big business" throughout the world, offering numerous opportunities to participants for enhanced social and/or economic status. As one excels, sport can generate positive notoriety and offers opportunities for financial gain. Sport support personnel such as coaches, administrators, medical providers, facility providers and equipment suppliers can also achieve economic benefits when the sport meets with success. Many developing nations have found that by offering enhanced sport opportunities, their economy can be improved and positive publicity is gained when their citizens excel on the world stage in sport participation (Paralympics, Olympics, World Championships, etc).
Persons with disabilities, women, and girls are marginalized in virtually every society on earth in comparison to their able-bodied counterparts and/or men and boys. Persons with physical disabilities are virtually ‘invisible’ in almost all communities world-wide but particularly in the underdeveloped world where accessibility is greatly limited. Sport and physical activity programs provide exceptional opportunities to demonstrate their physical capabilities and erase the stigma of physical inability that this population endures. As athletes with physical disabilities and/or those who are female achieve excellence in sport, they open societal doors to those who are similar but lack the athletic prowess to succeed. With new visibility, we can establish increased inclusion of the underserved and marginalized members of society.
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