Noida: Residents conduct signature campaign demanding sports facility in Sector 50

Residents of apartments in Sector 50 are currently signing a children’s petition to make a common representation to Noida Authority to develop the only vacant space in their sector for a sports facility.

Sector 50 in Noida does not boast of a single playground.  The one vacant plot in F Block, the land between Jain Temple and Mother Dairy store, it is said, has been designated as a shopping complex. But Sector 50 residents already have close access to several markets within and outside their sector. Upcoming Spectrum Mall in adjacent sector 75 is within 1.5 km distance from F Block.  Several apartments house convenience stores. No resident feels the lack of a shopping complex. What is required is a sports facility for children.

The nearly two decade old apartments in Sector 50 lack adequate spaces within their campuses for children to play games. Team sports are not permitted in sector parks, as they are a potential injury-risk hazard for walkers, particularly senior citizens.

In July this year, the Noida Authority declared that it will develop a park for children in every residential sector to encourage them to play outdoors. These parks will have a cricket pitch or ground for football, a basket ball, volleyball or badminton court depending on space, and cycling and walking tracks. This is in response to a demand for dedicated outdoor play spaces, especially for older children.

The children’s petition backed by parents and residents is to impress upon the Authority to develop a sports facility in the vacant spot. Commercial projects generate revenue and conventional wisdom defines development as the growth of commercial infrastructure only.  By announcing the “one playground in every sector” policy, the Authority has taken cognizance of the role free play in the development of children.

PLAYING IS LEARNING

Birds in flight are healthier, more active, better coordinated, and possess better vision than caged birds. Our children and youth live like caged birds because of lack of space to play.  Studies have shown that not playing outdoors and the abandonment of outdoor play in schools is resulting in serious health effects and potentially diminishing the life spans of the young generation.

Sadly, excessive focus on academics has pushed physical activity aside. But we know physical movement equals healthier bodies, better behaviour and higher grades. Games improve alertness, attention, and spark motivation, so children absorb and retain new information more efficiently. Principally, playing games results in increased blood flow and higher oxygen levels.

For example, in football, you have to think very fast, on your feet, literally! Such opportunities of instinctive and intuitive (fast) thinking in sports, particularly in growing up children, induces thickening of (insulating) myelin sheath around nerve fibres, thereby speeding up nerve impulses.

“You will be nearer to heaven through football than through the study of the Gita” said Swami Vivekananda. He regularly participated in physical exercise and sports.

Kiren Rijiju, as Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, had lamented the lack of interest among elected representatives in promoting a sports culture in their constituencies.

Article 39(f) of the Constitution of India imposing a duty on the State to secure that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner. The Convention on the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on 20th November, 1989, and ratified by India on 11th December, 1992 inter alia recognizing the right of the children to relax and play and to join in a wide range of activities.

The Supreme Court, as far back as in Bangalore Medical Trust Vs. B.S. Muddappa (1991) 4 SCC 54 laid down that protection of open places for recreation, play grounds for children are matters of great public concern and of vital interest to be taken care of in a development scheme.

Last year, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, launched the Fit India Movement. To achieve a New India Fit India and instil a healthy habit of being physically active from a young age, we need to provide playgrounds for children to play.

Mary Kom, Olympian boxer, often wondered why mothers did not demand playgrounds as a right to healthy living and an expression of childhood.

Now that Noida Authority has proactively announced a farsighted policy to allot space for a playground in each sector it is hoped that they will earmark the vacant spot between Jain Temple and Mother Dairy store in F Block Sector 50 for a sports complex instead of a shopping complex.