Published: 06:55 AM, 06 April 2026
Childhood and Adolescent Sports Memories
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
Sports are not just a means of entertainment, but it is an eternal path to human physical and mental excellence. In the golden days of childhood and adolescence, the playground was our best school, where we learned unity and tolerance by rising above defeat and victory. The memories of growing up in the dust of the field in this turbulent time of life are still indelible in the hearts of every person. Crossing the boundaries of individual life, sports have become a universal language today, which unites humanity regardless of race, religion and caste. In the words of the poet— "Sports are nothing but a reflection of life, where even after falling repeatedly, the courage to stand up again is born."
'International Sports Day for Development and Peace' is celebrated every year on April 6 to choose sports as a medium for peace and development. The main significance of this day is to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood by eliminating inequalities in society and to use the positive power of sports to resolve conflicts around the world. This day gives us a message of awareness about how powerful a tool sports can be in building a well-ordered world. Sports not only increase physical fitness, but also play an invaluable role in developing international diplomatic relations.
The theme for the 2026 International Sports Day is "Sport for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future". This theme basically conveys that it is possible to build an environmentally friendly and sustainable world by involving people from all levels of society and the state in the mainstream of sports.
The etymology of the word 'sports' is very ancient and diverse. The word sports is derived from the Sanskrit root 'Kreed', which literally means play or entertainment. In the primitive era, when people were hunters, every strategy for their livelihood was a kind of physical exercise, which over time took the form of a systematic game. If we observe the evolution of sports from Greek Olympia to Mesopotamian civilization, we can see that it was basically a display of heroism and strength. Towards the Middle Ages, it gained popularity as a part of military training.
With the evolution of time, sports today are not just a display of strength, but have acquired a modern form with a combination of strategy and talent. Since the industrial revolution, sports have been conducted in different countries with different laws and rules by gaining institutional form. In the present world, it is not just a hobby, but an integral part of the world economy and culture. The description of physical exercise and sports found in the poems of the great poet Kalidasa also proves that sports have been an eternal companion of human life since the dawn of human civilization.
From the perspective of physical education, sports are the main foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Regular sports strengthen the muscles and bones and increase the body's immunity. It is not just exercise, but a scientific method of orderly movement of every organ of the body. According to medical science, sports are the best alternative to all medicines.
There is no alternative to regular sports to get rid of modern lifestyle diseases like heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. For a doctor, a goal or a run on the field is a natural prescription for longevity.
From a psychological point of view, sports help reduce people's mental stress and increase their self-confidence. The playground acts as a magical healing center to remove depression. In the discussion of human sciences, it is seen that sports refine the primitive instincts of humans and transform them into social humans. It has created the mentality of working as a team in the process of human evolution. In the context of social science, sports are a symbol of social solidarity. When eleven players play on the field, they do not identify with any particular religion or caste, but rather represent a united society.
From the perspective of economics, sports are a huge industry today. Events like the World Cup or the Olympics generate hundreds of crores of taka in transactions and create employment opportunities. In the language of chemistry, during sports, happy hormones like dopamine and endorphins are released in the body, which keep people in a good mood. Sports are immobile without the laws of physics; when a football bends in the air or a cricketer sends the ball out of bounds, the laws of mechanics and speed come into play. From the perspective of mathematics, sports are a game of perfect geometric angles and statistics, where every second counts.
In this episode, I am sharing some of my memories of the playground during my school and college days with you: I am a sportsman at heart. I had a strong passion for sports since childhood. However, as I was busy with debating, social service and scouting along with my studies, I did not spend much time on the playground like others. I enjoyed creating an environment for playing more than directly participating in sports. Whenever I got time, I would get busy preparing the playground or ground.
A game called ‘Reticote’ was very popular in our village during winters. I used to make the court for this game with my own hands, which was like a great addiction for me. Although I had a deep love for football and cricket, due to my busy schedule, I rarely got the opportunity to participate in these two popular games. Still, that busyness and excitement of the playground is still vivid in my memory.
When my father used to bring me to the village every few weeks or months in the midst of the busyness of my studies, that time was very happy for me.
Due to this, I once got the responsibility of the president of the Shaheed Noor Mohammad Memorial Society. I was responsible for organizing and overseeing various tournaments of the club. Although I was not a very big player myself, due to this organizational responsibility, I got the opportunity to see and mix with skilled players very closely.
The experience of serving as a coach for a few days in this club's football tournament is an unforgettable memory for me. I especially remember those days during the rainy season; I don't know how many times I slipped and fell while coaching on the muddy field!
However, more than the game on the field, the ever-familiar quarrel between the two sides is etched in my memory. The players' fouling patterns were as strange as they were novel; which still floats before my eyes. To be honest, it seemed like there was more 'ganjam' going on on the football field than football. Whenever I remember the antics and violent scenes of the participants in that chaos, I still can't help but laugh."
My experience in the world of sports is a bit different. Although I am not a very good player myself, I have a unique experience of serving as an umpire in several important matches, including the finals of various clubs.
A similar memorable incident happened in our village, in a tournament organized on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The final match was between 'Sabuj Tarun' and 'Eleven Star' clubs. I was given the important responsibility of umpiring in that high-voltage match. During the game, the constant blaring of the village commentator's microphone almost made my ears ring. Meanwhile, the situation on the field was also quite dramatic. The players were trying to get my attention repeatedly by calling out in strange ways and with sharp shouts for no reason.
In the face of that chaos and pressure, I became confused and I accidentally called out. Wow, it was a battlefield in an instant! A heated argument broke out between the players on both sides. As the situation got out of control, my elder brother and friends who were present on the field stood around me like a wall, protecting me. Finally, after a long discussion, a strange settlement was reached—the prize money for the winning team was divided equally between the two teams. Thus, my memorable umpiring chapter ended with an unresolved ending.
Finally, I would like to say that sports is not just a battle of victory and defeat, it is a philosophy of life. That lost ball of childhood and the joy of returning home from the field on a tired afternoon of adolescence are what make our lives meaningful. International Sports Day reminds us that the importance of the field is immense in building a healthy nation and a peaceful world. So, let us forget the fighting through sports and extend the hand of brotherhood. That immortal saying of Swami Vivekananda is even more relevant today— "You will be closer to heaven by playing football than by reading the Gita."
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an
essayist and President of the International Anti-Drug
Organization - Freedom International Anti-Alcohol. He can be reached
