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PART SPORTS AND HEALTH

PART A Promotion of Physical Education and Sports

In recent years, accompanying a host of other societal changes and an increasing public interest in sports, there has been an increase in the number of persons participating in sports activities and a diversification in both the types of sports and the reasons for participation in them.

In order to meet this rising public demand, further promotion of sports has been deemed necessary. The significance of sports, in view of the main objectives of the 1989 Rerort from the Health and Physical Education Council, can be summarized in the following four points:

First, sports are a vital part of human culture affecting both our physical and mental lives. Participation in sports fulfills a basic need to exercise, provides psychological satisfaction and contributes to overall health and fitness.

Second, along with urbanization and its many conveniences, the opportunities for daily physical exercise are decreasing. Thus it can be said that from now on the necessity for developing a lifelong enjoyment of sports has become even more important for maintaining a healthy and active physical and mental life.

Third, through sports we pursue the boundaries of our human potential. During athletic performances, spectators are stimulated, inspired and entertained as they watch athletes challenging their limits.

Fourth, sports play a major role towards increasing world friendship and goodwill. Most sports are played with common rules around the world and as a common "global culture," they help to overcome language barriers and promote international understanding.

On the basis of these points which illustrate the significance of sports, it is hoped that sports will be promoted as a "common culture" for all with the aim of developing a richer human potential in light of the 21st Century.