Education
is the core of the Olympic Movement, because all of the fundamental roles
entrusted to the movement depend entirely on the educational values of the
Olympic Movement. For that reason, all the key figures of Olympism
put great emphasis on education. “Olympic
Education and the Olympic Spirit have the power to contribute to resolving some
of the most intensive social problems and teaching principles of honesty and respect (Coubertin, 1929).” Olympic Education, in general, is
the process by which people learn Olympism. With respect to pedagogy, Olympic Education is the grass root for
general education; its goal is to contribute to building a peaceful and better
world, by educating youth through sport, without discrimination and in the
Olympic Spirit, which require mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship,
solidarity and fair play.
In Thailand, some of the most popular sports
for Thai
youth are: football, volleyball, tennis, golf, swimming, taekwondo and futsal. Unfortunately, not all young people can participate in such sports
as they do not possess the skills high-level skill required. So, Physical
Education classes can serve this youth population in terms of exercise and of physical
fitness activities, which in any way still serves to promote a physical fitness
and mental fitness. In
conclusion, I would like to emphasize the need to include the values and the
benefits of sport into the educational and sport program. Children who participate in sports can learn
the sport moral values and become a better person, a better adult, a better
athlete, a better member of the society and eventually a better citizen of the
country. As administrators and educators of higher education, they need to set
up educational strategies in order to provide the best program to our
children. Thus, it is mandatory to
introduce sport to all levels of education to let our children enjoy the best
segment of their life with fun and friendships.
Suriyan Somphong
14/02/2014
