That the national school games have restarted after a two-year hiatus is encouraging. It means that learners can now engage in more than just class work, which has been the focus of the tight curriculum and short terms that the Education ministry has been enforcing.

Play is an integral part of childhood and youth. Indeed, it is defining because it helps not just in muscle development but also in socialization as young people learn how to work in teams, how to deal with good and bad results and how to solve the complex problems that life in general presents. It is also critical for emotional and psychological growth.

As such, there is much more to games and sports than just competition among schools. Sports is integral in the overall and wholistic growth and development of a person, hence its importance in the school calendar.

Equally important is that it also provides a break from the stresses and demands of schoolwork. The last two years have been particularly busy for children and teachers, giving them no break away from the demands of fulfilling the curriculum requirements as the country races to ensure it returns to the normal school calendar by January.

In the long term, and especially under the new Competence-Based Curriculum, sports and games are important in helping individuals to achieve their full potential. Gone are the days when learners were taught that they only needed to pass exams to succeed in life. Now, talent, passion and natural potential can be turned into revenue streams. One needs to look at European and American economies which are powered in large part by sports and games, which drive other industries like television and advertising.

By denying Kenyan children and learners an opportunity to compete in school games, we have also been denying them a chance to develop their talents in the hope of turning them into careers. The return of the games is an opportunity to help them unlock that potential.

With national examinations coming up in two months’ time, allowing them to compete in sports will help the youngsters to release stress, besides giving them beautiful memories that they will carry after they leave school.

Whichever way one looks at it, the return of the games competition in schools is worth celebrating. Let us give young people to express themselves, form bonds with peers and learn problem-solving skills outside formal classroom setttings.