Why the need for Palarong Pambansa and sports activities

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?

- FORMER SENATOR ATTY. JOEY D. LINA

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.