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Abstract
Sports are considered as very strong agent for bringing positive changes in the behaviors of its participants. In this perspective a study was conducted in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to explore the perceptions of stakeholders about role of sports in curbing violent behaviors among youth. The study focused on eradication of antisocial behavior, aggressiveness, juvenile delinquency, violence, criminal offensiveness, and negative sentiments through participation in sports. The population for the study comprised of four strata consisting of parents, teachers, students and sportsmen/women. Multiphase sampling technique was used for taking sample out of target population. Teachers and students were selected through simple random, while parents and sportsmen/women were selected through convenient sampling technique. It was found that stakeholders consider sports as quite effective instrument for curbing antisocial and fostering pro-social behavior. Sports were found very effective tool for elimination of certain social problems such as aggressiveness, juvenile delinquency, violence, criminal offensiveness and negative sentiments. It was also found that sports are quite means of promoting self-control. It was recommended that sports competitions should be organized at union councils, tehsils and districts level and standard sports facilities should be provided to educational institutions and in each city and town of the country.
Keywords: Perceptions, Stakeholders, Sports, Violent behaviors.
Introduction
Sports may be defined as "all forms of physical activities that contribute to physical fitness, mental well-being and social interaction, such as play, recreation, organized or competitive sport, and indigenous sports and games." (UNIATFSDP, 2003).
Sports and physical activities are excellent vehicles for socialization and best sources for social development of youth. Sport is considered to be a very valuable institution that helps the players learn numerous qualities that help them lead a successful practical life. Traits like leadership, moral character, and perseverance can be developed through participation in sports (Butcher, 1979). Violent behavior is a social problem and it is clear evidence of positive impact of sports on behavior. It is believed that sports activities within community reduce the crime rate and anti-social behavior among youth (Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports, 2002). In a review of related literature, it is argued that sports develop the character, morality and positive values among youth such as good behavior, social relations between individuals and groups, hard work,...