Watching on TV the opening ceremony of the 65th edition of the Palarong Pambansa in Ilocos Norte last Saturday reminded me of a question: Is sports a necessity or a luxury?

Some asked the question in the early ‘90s when I chaired the Senate youth and sports committee as the nation’s youngest senator then. Those who viewed sports as a luxury thought scarce resources ought to be used only for the most basic of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs — air, food, water, shelter, clothing, and sleep.

Only after the basic physiological needs for human survival are met should one pursue other needs like safety and security, followed by the need for love and a sense of belonging, then the need for self-esteem, respect, and recognition, according to Abraham Maslow, considered to be among the world’s top psychologists of the 20th century. He theorized that self-actualization is the highest level of needs that bring personal fulfillment to those striving to reach full potential.

In his theory on the hierarchy of human needs, sports would fit only after safety and security needs, starting at the third level up where a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and personal fulfillment, ultimately, could be derived from sports excellence.

Undoubtedly, the most basic human needs at the bottom of the hierarchy are most essential to life and survival. But extensive research, including the many hearings of the Senate committee I headed also point out the paramount importance of sport activities to a person’s physical and psychological wellbeing.

In fact, the absence of sports or lack of physical activity can result in serious consequences to one’s health. Around two million deaths per year are attributed to physical inactivity, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, warning that “a sedentary lifestyle could very well be among the 10 leading causes of death and disability” the world over.

“Sedentary lifestyles increase all causes of mortality, double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and increase the risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, lipid disorders, depression and anxiety,” the WHO said in 2002.

The UNESCO International Charter of Physical Education and Sport, adopted by the General Conference at its 20th session in Paris on Nov. 21, 1978, also said “it is clearly evident that physical education and sport are not confined to physical wellbeing and health but also contribute to the full and well-balanced development of the human being.”

That sport activities contribute to an individual’s “full and well-balanced development” was also affirmed by two of the Philippines’ greatest sports legends – the late Lydia de Vega, Asia’s sprint queen, and champion bowler Bong Coo – when I chatted with them one Sunday morning when I was still active with my teleradyo program, “Sagot Ko ‘Yan.”

Engaging in sports develops character, self-confidence, discipline, respect for rules, sense of accomplishment, willingness to go through sacrifices, and it even helps fight depression, according to Bong.

For Lydia, sports enabled her to develop the grim determination to succeed, to double her efforts amid setbacks, to give her all, and not be intimidated by the strength of her rivals. “I have to give my 100 percent,” she said. “Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”

The same sentiments are also being felt now at the Palarong Pambansa, the country’s biggest annual sports event for student athletes, where 14,685 athletes from 20 athletic associations and the country’s 18 regions will be competing until May 30.

At the opening ceremony, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was right in emphasizing the value of discipline, perseverance, and camaraderie as he acknowledged the sacrifices of student athletes.

“Hindi madali ang inyong pinagdaanan. ‘Yung oras na ipapahinga ninyo na lang dapat, eh gagamitin ninyo pa sa practice at saka sa training, mag-aaral sa umaga, tapos ensayo sa hapon. Minsan kulang pa sa gamit o sa panggastos (What you went through was not easy. The time you could have spent resting, you used instead for practice and training, studying in the morning, then training in the afternoon. Sometimes, there wasn't even enough equipment or money),” he said in his speech.

“Ngunit, wala sa inyo ang sumuko. Araw-araw, nagsisikap kayong tumakbo nang mas mabilis, lumangoy nang mas mabilis at mas mahaba, tumalon nang mas mataas. Kaya naman, kaming lahat bilib sa inyo, sa inyong galing, sa inyong tibay, at sa inyong dedikasyon (But none of you gave up. Every day, you push yourselves to run faster, swim faster and farther, jump higher. That’s why all of us admire you — your skill, your strength, and your dedication),” he added.

“Higit sa pagkapanalo, mas mahalagang matutunan ninyo ang disiplina, ang halaga ng pakikipagkaibigan, at ang mag-enjoy naman sa inyong favorite sport — manalo man o matalo. (More important than winning is that you learn discipline, the value of friendship, and how to enjoy your favorite sport — whether you win or lose),” he said.

Discipline, determination, and fostering friendships are indeed among many reasons why sports is important. I hope the Palarong Pambansa continues to inspire the Filipino youth, especially in this digital age when gadgets lure the young away from physical activities. ([email protected])