MS Dhoni asks parents to 'throw' kids out to play outdoor games, help India fare at Olympics

New Delhi, Nov 9: India's limited overs' captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has expressed his concern over decline in children's interests in playing outdoor games, which he feels will affect India's performance at Olympics.

MS Dhoni can continue playing till 2019 World Cup, feel selectors

Despite home to world largest youth force, India's performance at premier sporting event i.e. Olympics has been dismal.

Home to 1.2 billion people, India won just two medals at Rio Olympics 2016, which was 4 less than its tally at London Olympics four years back.

According to Dhoni, one of the major reasons behind country's continued poor show at Olympics is because the current generation of children do not venture out onto the field and play sports.

"We often say we don't win medals at Olympics. But we don't realise how many of our youth is playing outdoor sport. A lot of the kids are hooked to electronic gadgets. So my suggestion to all the parents is throw your children out of the house. Let them play in the heat. Let them find their own way," Dhoni was quoted by PTI as saying.

"We have to throw the kids out of the house to play sport. It will not only help them stay active but also help them in their academics," he added.

Playing sport helps in an overall development of a kid thus every parent must encourage their kids to take up at least one outdoor game and play it.

Cricket is still India's most popular sport in the country but not all can succeed in a particular sport and eventually build their career.

Therefore, it is important for the parents to introduce their wards to different kind of sports and encourage them to pursue their dreams in that game.

OneIndia News