As British summer rolls out its sunniest day and sprinkles of rain showers with occasional thunder storms, many makes the best of it and stretch their day out with fun filled activity. For Tamils in London it's the season to be ready for sports day.
It has been formed to promote sports and cultural awareness amongst the British
Tamil community in this region. It's prime objective, will unite every age group mainly youth through sports and leisure activities in an educative and fascinating way to keep them active, positive and righteous.
For my husband and I, it's an fabulous event we always let our sons to participate annually. It's simply because we want our young children to know what sports day is and mingle with the community.
Sports day at schools in London are different from my country, Malaysia or my husband's country, Sri Lanka. Back home, there will be much preparation, training and enthusiasm to hold an annual school sports day, unlike here it's just another school's summer's activity where children will be divided into groups and play fun games for example, bean bag picking and fun obstacle race. Each year group will have they sports day on a different day. After all the fun-filled activities including dressing up race, they will be treated with ice-lollies to sooth the hot summer's day and to mark the end of the joyous summer term.
However, from where we came from, sports day is a big athletic event and has a pivotal part in the education system. It instils sportsmanship from a young age and carves the path to a sports career for the talented young champions.
So, this is the one chance for my children to get the feel of our actual sports day.
Despite many challenges including limited funding, the organizing committee has actually put up a great effort to make this event happen. The were few hiccups, nevertheless, it was a splendid effort to present an opportunity to mingle in sports spirit for the Tamil community, majority of whom are Sri Lankan origin. The events are fun while others are competitive. This is a chance for children, youth and adult from all age group who have a passion for outdoor sports and team games to shine. As well as helping children to be more competitive, NEST's sports day is also a chance to enjoy a day in the sunshine, strengthen the family bond and seek new friendship.
The value of sports to local government and communities extends beyond sport for sport’s sake. It can play a role in bringing communities together, having a social and cultural impact, developing social capital and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
It has been shown that physical education and sport is important to the development of children and young people. Dr Karruna Ratnarajah, a lovely lady doctor that I met at the event, said it's good to do sport for health reasons, but there is so much more to it than that. Sports event has been proven to enhance mental and physical development, as well as social skills and even improvements in academic performance.
Young people learn hands-on about the need to abide by the rules, team work, fair play and respect for others. Children also learn how to cope in a competitive environment as well as learning all about winning and losing; these are important life skills to assimilate in preparation for the mass environment. At sports day, they will have spectators encouraging them on, whether other children or their parents. It may also be a chance for children to earn wider recognition for their sporting prowess.
Regardless of win or lose, as an individual or team, a big part of sports day is sitting outside having fun with friends. The volatility of the British summertime never deter the community sports spirit. For me every child and participant are the winner of the day and has gained their very own personal kudos. Well done NEST's team. We shall meet again next year.
Photo credit also to Mr Thavarajah Kanapatipillai who contributed some of the photos.
North East Sports for Tamils, NEST Athletics is a day of small sports event but with great big dreams. This is the 1st year for NEST, also known as Yellow team to run a sports event on its own flagship and it was held on the 3rd Saturday of July.
It has been formed to promote sports and cultural awareness amongst the British
Tamil community in this region. It's prime objective, will unite every age group mainly youth through sports and leisure activities in an educative and fascinating way to keep them active, positive and righteous.
For my husband and I, it's an fabulous event we always let our sons to participate annually. It's simply because we want our young children to know what sports day is and mingle with the community.
Sports day at schools in London are different from my country, Malaysia or my husband's country, Sri Lanka. Back home, there will be much preparation, training and enthusiasm to hold an annual school sports day, unlike here it's just another school's summer's activity where children will be divided into groups and play fun games for example, bean bag picking and fun obstacle race. Each year group will have they sports day on a different day. After all the fun-filled activities including dressing up race, they will be treated with ice-lollies to sooth the hot summer's day and to mark the end of the joyous summer term.
However, from where we came from, sports day is a big athletic event and has a pivotal part in the education system. It instils sportsmanship from a young age and carves the path to a sports career for the talented young champions.
So, this is the one chance for my children to get the feel of our actual sports day.
Despite many challenges including limited funding, the organizing committee has actually put up a great effort to make this event happen. The were few hiccups, nevertheless, it was a splendid effort to present an opportunity to mingle in sports spirit for the Tamil community, majority of whom are Sri Lankan origin. The events are fun while others are competitive. This is a chance for children, youth and adult from all age group who have a passion for outdoor sports and team games to shine. As well as helping children to be more competitive, NEST's sports day is also a chance to enjoy a day in the sunshine, strengthen the family bond and seek new friendship. 
The value of sports to local government and communities extends beyond sport for sport’s sake. It can play a role in bringing communities together, having a social and cultural impact, developing social capital and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.
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| Dr Karruna Ratnarajah, far right in this photo |
Young people learn hands-on about the need to abide by the rules, team work, fair play and respect for others. Children also learn how to cope in a competitive environment as well as learning all about winning and losing; these are important life skills to assimilate in preparation for the mass environment. At sports day, they will have spectators encouraging them on, whether other children or their parents. It may also be a chance for children to earn wider recognition for their sporting prowess.
Regardless of win or lose, as an individual or team, a big part of sports day is sitting outside having fun with friends. The volatility of the British summertime never deter the community sports spirit. For me every child and participant are the winner of the day and has gained their very own personal kudos. Well done NEST's team. We shall meet again next year.
Photo credit also to Mr Thavarajah Kanapatipillai who contributed some of the photos.
Comments
Encouraging comments also reflect the organisers objectives as well.
Please continue with the service with pride with your soothing 'Penaamozhli'.