IDIOMS and proverbs are said to be a reflection of society, and they provide valuable insight into the shared wisdom and ways of thinking in a particular culture. Let’s take a look at two sayings from two different cultures on the topic of play and sports to try and understand collective norms and social dynamics.
We have all heard the phrase in Urdu, ‘padhoge likhoge banoge nawab; kheloge koodoge toh hoge kharaab’. A loose translation would be: ‘if you focus on studies you’ll be successful; If you play, you’ll end up spoilt and waste your time.’ And now, a common English proverb: ‘all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.’
Earlier this month, on June 11, we celebrated the International Day of Play — a day to mark the importance of play for every human being, and to acknowledge that play is absolutely essential for the physical and mental development of children, in fact vital for all age groups.
It is pertinent to examine whether, in our society, we have given play and sport their due importance or if we view them as useless activities, a waste of time, and in some instances, even immoral. Not too long ago, the Punjab Directorate of Public Institutions, according to media reports, banned sports tournaments, funfairs, galas and festivals in public and private educational institutes in the province. The directorate deemed this move necessary to protect the youth from sports activities that it said were ‘vulgar’ and ‘unethical’.
There is a need to challenge these negative stereotypes towards play and sports.
Have we given play and sport their due importance.
Play is how children learn through experience and it helps them make sense of the world. Play helps children build critical social emotional skills at an early age. It boosts critical thinking, encourages exploration and experimentation, and provides opportunities for children to interact with, learn from, and better understand others as well as themselves. Play taps into the reserves of natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation in children and makes the latter ready for lifelong learning.
And yet, children today are playing less at home as compared to previous generations. According to Unicef, one in five children do not engage in play with caregivers at home. Just one in four children now play regularly outdoors and in their communities — a sharp decline from their grandparents’ generation, where nearly three-quarters did so several times a week. Children in Pakistani schools have the least amount of playtime as compared to children in other South Asian countries.
There is a need for policymakers in federal education and all provincial ministries to study international examples of the integration of play in the classroom. Play-based interventions are cost-effective and may well be a game-changer in overcoming learning losses at the primary school level and can be a way forward on the road to overcoming Pakistan’s education emergency.
Play enhances literacy by engaging children in creative language activities that build vocabulary, strengthen word recognition and develop early reading and writing skills. It supports numeracy by helping children explore counting, patterns, measurement and problem-solving in a fun and interactive way.
The government should see sports festivals and co-curricular activities as essential components of the educational curriculum rather than dismissing them as frivolous or inappropriate pursuits. Investment in the sports infrastructure, especially in schools and colleges, is imperative.
While state intervention is crucial, the onus also lies on individuals to cultivate a love for play from an early age. Although we lam-ent the lack of supportive policies for the dying sport culture, how much do we, as individuals, play a role in reinforcing this culture? When was the last time we actively engaged in a play activity? Do we stop playing when we grow old? Or do we grow old because we remove play from our lives?
For individuals, the journey does not end with youth. Maintaining an active lifestyle as adults and into old age is equally important. Regular participation in play not only keeps one physically fit but also enhances mental well-being and slows down signs of aging. It promotes social interaction, reduces stress and instils a sense of accomplishment.
Parents and educators should encourage children to participate in physical activities, recognising the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle. We need to revive the culture of intergenerational play with local sports, puzzles and board games in our households, which are interactive and can cater to the cognitive needs of all generations.
The writer is the country director of the non-profit Right To Play International in Pakistan.
akhayam@righttoplay.com
Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025