We cannot live without food and drink. Similarly, our health will break down without exercise. It is undeniable that school life is the suitable time to learn to participate in games and sports, because school provides the environment to encourage the students for games and sports.

Games can be both outdoor and indoor. Outdoor games include hockey, cricket, basket ball, football and lawn tennis. Since we attach too much importance to books in school, we seldom get any opportunity to do much manual work in the open air. Our minds are cheerful when we take regular exercise in the open air. Our health also improves.

Games and sports are necessary after long hours of tedious study. “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” This proverb suggests the merit of games and sports. We should adopt such games which would suit to the Indian climate.

Nowadays the ancient games of Indian have been replaced by the games of western nations. There was a time when games like rowing, hunting, swimming and wrestling were very popular games. India is the mother of hockey. But now cricket has become very popular. There are many indoor games such as table tennis, chess, etc.

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At school, students play table tennis. Chess requires intelligence. The students who pay chess apply their brain-power rather than physical power.

The games and sports develop a team-spirit among the students. The students also learn how to work together, under a captain. Students learn the spirit of obedience, discipline and fairness. These virtues are learnt better through games than through books.

Games and sports have immense impact upon the character of the youngsters. The captainship of a game requires honesty and wisdom. A true sportsman stands for honesty and judgment. Before independence the role of games and sports in educational institutions was limited.

Thus, the health of the students and of the nation was affected. But now the games and sports have been given special status in educational institutions.