The District Switzerland/FL of Panathlon International organized last October 19-20 a conference on the theme "Youth and Sport" in order to spread the "Charter of children's rights in sport" and the "Charter of parental duties in sport ". The meeting was held in the frame of the beautiful Tenero Sports Center, the sports center of excellence for youth, managed by the Federal Sports Body.
The first day was dedicated to the theme of competitive sport for young people. In this context, the possibility of enjoying an optimal assistance (Penta) was highlighted, the problems of the risks of injuries and damage to health were examined (Weisskopf) and mentioned the problems of motivation of young people in being enthusiastic about competitive sport (Schneider).
On the second day, the theme was "Sports for young people - fun or necessity?". The main speaker, prof. Zahner of Basel emphasized that too little physical activity in youth can have serious consequences later in every age group and that the gain of physical and mental health through sport and movement can be enormous, up to increase the ability of learning. Rose-Marie Repond pointed out how important physical education is for young people and Peter Howald showed, by the example of the city of Basel, the meaning of a good infrastructure to make physical activity possible.
With the Olympic champion in downhill skiing Dominique Gisin, the former international footballer Claudio Sulser, sports doctor dr. Doris Braun and sports scientist Lukas Zahner, the round table that followed, moderated by Susy Schär, saw many persons of recognized standing. At the end of the event, each participant was convinced that, for many reasons, it is necessary to introduce youth into sport. It has been convincingly demonstrated that the inclusion in sport and in the movement already in very tender age offers the best conditions to have benefits for mental and physical development, for the formation of will, motivation and for a good social behavior characterized by fair play in every situation of life.
Bernhard Segesser, President District Switzerland/FL
