Most sportspersons including the reigning marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge have credited discipline as the main ingredient for their successes.
Discipline has also often been associated with Olympic champions and martial artists.
TeamKenya.co.ke takes a look at three unique ways sports teach children discipline.
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Influence from the coach
In some instances, sports coaches have more influence on children than their parents or school teachers.
During training sessions, coaches demonstrate to children under their tutelage the value of delayed gratification, continued focus and putting in the effort.
Isaac Maluki, one of the most respected coaches in the Kenya Women’s Premier League (KWPL), explains that coaches usually stress the essence of discipline to their players.
"It is hypothetical to say that coaches have a bigger role in modelling the athlete. We as coaches have been trained to guide athletes on discipline matters, and we do it from an early age as possible.
"We emphasize the importance of discipline and clearly communicate the consequences and risks if rules are ignored," he commented.
Maluki further stated that they teach them the essence of time management, obeying the set rules and teamwork.
It is very rare to come across a coach who misleads children.
Motivation
Notably, sports teach kids discipline through motivation. By playing sports from an early age, kids understand that discipline can help someone win or lose a title.
It sticks to their heads that if they stay disciplined and follow the instructions from their coaches, there would be a reward in the end. These rewards may be in terms of title or reaching certain milestones.
Goals
To attain a certain objective, someone must stay disciplined and one of the best ways for children to comprehend this fact is through sports.
By realizing the essential role that discipline plays in achieving success in sports, a child is likely to stay disciplined for the rest of his life.
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