Sports is a part of life, stresses Padukone

The two-day UGC-sponsored national conference on Lifestyle management and wellness kicked-off here at the Malleswaram Ladies’ Association First Grade Association for Women on Friday.

Former All-England champion Prakash Padukone, the guest of honour, he spoke about the importance sport plays in life.

“One need not play sport just to be champions... Sport also builds character and you learn to accept defeat gracefully and it helps your life,” Padukone opined.

The conference focuses on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle through sport, physical activity and yoga.

Former sprinter Arjun Devaiah stressed on the fact that India will not have the strength of youth to compete with the likes of China in the coming years.

“China’s aim is to make people fit but our strategy is to only build brains. If you are not physically fit, what is the use of being brainy.

“It should be a case of a sound mind in a sound body. You may have achieved a lot in your job but you should be fit to enjoy the fruit of that effort. When you play sport, you build your personality,” Arjun pointed out.

Around 100 research papers will be presented by physical education directors and professors across the country during the course of the conference.