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Cycling star Nicole Cooke was voted the BBC Wales Sports Personality of 2003 at the prestigious event held in Cardiff on Monday night.
The 20-year-old from Wick was runner-up to Wales football manager Mark Hughes last year but went one step better thanks to an outstanding season.

Snooker world champion Mark Williams was the runner-up, with Wales rugby back Gareth Thomas coming third in the public voting from a shortlist of six Welsh sporting stars.

Also nominated were boxing champion Joe Calzaghe, athlete Hayley Tullett and Wales and Celtic football striker John Hartson.

"It's been one of the most nerve-wracking evenings of my life," Cooke said. "It's absolutely fantastic - I can't describe it."

Cooke thanked her family, who have stood by her through the bad times as well as the triumphs, and also praised the other members of her cycling team for their help and support.

But she reserved special thanks for the voting public: "I don't know why but something in my achievements this year must have caught the imagination to vote for me, so thank you very much."

Wales rugby star Gareth Thomas had to settle for third place

This season Cooke became the youngest ever winner of the women's World Cup and the first Briton to achieve the honour.

In only her second year on the women's world circuit, Cooke served notice of her growing talent by winning the third and fourth stages of the nine-stage World Cup.

Her team, Ausra Gruodis-Safi, then took the bold decision to make Cooke the team leader over more experienced campaigners.

She repaid her Italian employers' faith by wrapping up the title with one stage still to go.

Cooke added a fourth British Road Race Championship title in five years in June, then a bronze in the season finale World Championships.

She enters the new year with her sights set on Olympic gold in Athens, with every chance of adding more glory to her growing CV.

"I've been over to Athens, I've seen the course and it's very much to my liking - so game on."

The Merit Award went to hurdling legend Colin Jackson, who finally hung up his spikes this year at the age of 36.

Jackson is Britain's best-ever sprint hurdler, winning numerous titles both indoors and outdoors.

Colin Jackson received the Merit Award for a glittering athletics career

He burst onto the scene in 1986, winning gold at the World Juniors, before embarking on a career that had everything bar an Olympic title.

But Jackson won everything else - the highlight being his 1993 World Championship gold, set in a world record time of 12.91 seconds that still stands today.

The Team Award went to football's Cardiff City, who under manager Lennie Lawrence won promotion from Division Two last season, courtesy of a thrilling play-off final win over QPR.

The Bluebirds have started the new season in similar form, currently standing a respectable seventh in Division One and within striking distance of the play-offs for the Premiership.

Defender Danny Gabbidon and striker Robert Earnshaw are two of the home-grown heroes at Ninian Park who have won rave reviews.

Both have carried their club form on to the international stage with Wales and are attracting envious interest from Premiership scouts.

The Carwyn James Junior Awards both went to swimmers, with David Davies and Rhiannon Henry scooping the titles.

The 18-year-old Davies has burst on to the British scene this year in his preferred 1500m freestyle event.

Davies claimed fourth place at the World Senior Championships this summer and is surely a hot tip to make the Great Britain team for the next years Olympics in Athens.

Just as impressive is 16-year-old Henry, who produced a stunning performance at the International Blind Sports Association World Championships in Quebec in September.

The Bridgend swimmer won a fistful of medals - four golds and two silvers - breaking the 800m world record in the process.

Over the last 12 months Henry has become the world number one over the 800m and the 100m freestyle, and next summer she aims to become Wales' youngest ever Paralympian.

A new award for BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year, the Unsung Hero Award, went to Nobby Woodcock for his work with the children of the Bettws Estate in Newport.

Mr Woodcock founded the Real Bettws Football Club in 1990 that provides eight youth teams from Under-18 down to Under-6 level.

Thousands of Newport children have benefited from his vision and dedication, including his two young sons.

Mr Woodcock will now go through to the national BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, where the UK winner will be announced.

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BBC SPORT | Wales | Cooke wins BBC honour

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Cycling star Nicole Cooke was voted the BBC Wales Sports Personality of 2003 at the prestigious event held in Cardiff on Monday night. The 20-year-old from Wick was runner-up to Wales football manager Mark Hughes last year but went one step better thanks to an outstanding season.

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Wales football manager Mark Hughes was named the BBC Wales Sports Personality of 2002 at a star-studded event in Cardiff on Monday.

Cyclist Nicole Cooke was the runner-up with golfer Phillip Price coming third for the second successive year.

For the first time in the award's 48-year history, the award was decided by a public vote - and Hughes emerged as the overwhelming winner.

Accepting the award, Hughes said: "It's been a great year for everybody involved in Welsh football.

"This individual award is further recognition of the achievements of the team.

"Not only the players, but the staff and everybody who goes to make up a successful team."

The 39-year-old enjoyed a near faultless 12 months in charge of Wales, and had always been the favourite out of the eight shortlisted contenders.

Cooke's achievements in 2002 included winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. She also enjoyed a hugely successful debut season as a professional rider.

Price, who was also third in last year's award, produced the shock win of last year's Ryder Cup by beating world number two Phil Mickelson.

The Merit Award was awarded to former Glamorgan and England fast bowler Steve Watkin.

He retired at the end of the 2001 season after taking 1,211 first-class wickets.

Manic Street Preachers members James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire presented the award to Hughes at the ceremony in Cardiff's St David's Hall.

Hughes, who remarkably never won the award as a player, transformed the national side into a team of world beaters in 2002.

He guided them to a seven-match unbeaten run, which included memorable victories over Italy and Germany at the Millennium Stadium.

As a result, Wales moved from 100th place in the Fifa rankings to 52nd place - the biggest leap of all nations up the official world rankings during last 12 months.

And three wins in their opening three Euro 2004 qualifying matches has put Wales five points clear in Group Nine.

Hughes is therefore strongly placed to become the first manager to lead Wales to the finals of a major international tournament since 1958.

Unsurprisingly, the Wales football team took the Team of the Year award for their remarkable run of results.

And their stunning 2-1 victory over Italy in October was voted as the most memorable event in the sporting calendar by the readers of the Welsh Mirror newspaper.

The Carwyn James Junior Awards - now in their 20th year - went to golfer Rhys Davies and yachtswoman Hannah Mills.

Davies, 19, was the runner-up at the British boys' championship in Carnoustie.

Mills, 14, finished ninth overall and the second girl at the world championships in Texas.

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BBC SPORT | Wales | Hughes scoops BBC award

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Wales football manager Mark Hughes was named the BBC Wales Sports Personality of 2002 at a star-studded event in Cardiff on Monday. Cyclist Nicole Cooke was the runner-up with golfer Phillip Price coming third for the second successive year.

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BBC CYMRU WALES SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2009
Full award programme: Tuesday, 8 December, BBC ONE Wales, 2235-2335 GMT

Wales and Manchester United football legend Ryan Giggs, 36, has been named the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2009.
Giggs was presented with the award by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the mentor who signed the player as a teenager.

The award was announced by Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan following a public telephone vote.

Second place went to cyclist Geraint Thomas while Wales and Cardiff Blues rugby player Jamie Roberts was third.

Due to Giggs' commitment to a Manchester United Champions League game in Germany on Tuesday, he was handed the award on Sunday by Ferguson at Manchester United's Carrington training ground.

This is the second time Giggs has won the award, having last been awarded the trophy in 1996, and the evergreen Cardiff-born star has had another outstanding year.

Manchester United won the Barclays Premier League, the Carling Cup and were Uefa Champion League finalists, while Giggs himself won the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year Award and was nominated for European footballer of the year.

The Player of the Year award came amid stiff opposition from team-mates Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar as well as Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

The award had previously eluded the player, who went on to maintain his remarkable record of scoring in every one of the 19 Premier League seasons, including a fine hat-trick against Tottenham Hotspur in September to help him top 150 goals for his club.

Giggs remains a threat to defences and manager Sir Alex Ferguson has advised aspiring players to follow his protege's example of maintaining physical fitness and mental toughness.

Now in his 19th season with the club, he has won more team honours than any of his predecessors.

Among his many records and accolades, Giggs is the only Red Devil to have played in their 11 Premier League wins and the only player in the game to have won that number of titles.

Giggs' award was announced on BBC Wales Today with the awards evening held later at Cardiff City Stadium.

The ex-Welsh international continues to defy his years as he remains hugely influential for Manchester United.

Cardiff-born Giggs has outstripped Old Trafford legend Bobby Charlton's club appearance record of 758 and has now played more than 800 games for the club since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 1991.

One of the few signs of Giggs' age is that in the last season he has switched from winger to central midfield, but he has yet to find himself usurped by a younger player.

The former Welsh international's standing among his fellow professionals is also a huge mark of respect for his evergreen talents.

Cyclist Thomas claimed second place after recovering from a broken pelvis suffered in a fall in a time trial early in the year in Italy to make his mark in October.

At the World Cup in Manchester he won gold in the individual pursuit, having set the second-fastest time in history in qualifying, 4min, 18.418secs.

Third-placed Roberts starred for Wales during the Six Nations and was named British and Irish Lions player of the tour to South Africa.

Golfer Becky Brewerton, light-heavyweight boxer Nathan Cleverly and Welsh Women's rugby player Louise Rickard were the remaining contenders for the award.

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Ryan Giggs wins BBC Wales Sports Personality 2009

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BBC CYMRU WALES SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2009 Full award programme: Tuesday, 8 December, BBC ONE Wales, 2235-2335 GMT Wales and Manchester United football legend Ryan Giggs, 36, has been named the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2009.

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Wales men's rugby union captain Alun Wyn Jones is the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2019.

This year the 34-year-old captained Wales to Grand Slam success and was named Six Nations player of the tournament, with the second row also leading Wales to the World Cup semi-finals in Japan.

During 2019 Jones became Wales' record cap-holder and has now won 134 for his country, plus nine for the British and Irish Lions.

"To have the recognition of being nominated was more than enough in such a quality field of fellow competitors," Jones said.

"It's pretty special not only for me but for my team-mates, my family... it's massive.

"I do feel I should be up here (on stage) with another 30-45 blokes to be honest, as strength in numbers is always good."

Jones has also been shortlisted for the BBC network 2019 UK Sports Personality of the Year award.

Shot putter Sabrina Fortune was second having won her first world title at the 2019 World Para-Athletics Championships, with Jade Jones third after the double Olympic champion secured the first world title of her career with gold at the World Taekwondo Championships.

With Alun Wyn Jones having taken the main award of the evening, it was fitting that the Wales rugby side he captained were named Team of the Year.

Coach of the Year went to Warren Gatland, after he led that Wales side to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals before stepping down after 12 years in charge.

Boxer Joe Calzaghe was presented with the Lifetime Achievement award, celebrating a sparkling undefeated professional career where he reigned as a world champion for more than 11 years.

During his time in the ring Calzaghe won the WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF super-middleweight belts plus The Ring light-heavyweight title.

Canoeist Etienne Chappell won the Carwyn James young sportsman award, with the young sportswoman crown going to wheelchair motocross athlete Lily Rice.

Results of the public vote were revealed at the Wales Sport Awards at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport on Tuesday night, where BBC Cymru Wales and Sport Wales celebrated Welsh sporting success.

Para-athletics javelin thrower Hollie Arnold, cyclist Elinor Barker, Para-alpine skier Menna Fitzpatrick, sailor Hannah Mills and boxer Lauren Price were also on the eight-strong shortlist for BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2019.

BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhodri Talfan Davies said: "Congratulations to everyone who has received an award tonight.

"Sport is such an integral part of the fabric of our communities and it's wonderful to be able to celebrate the athletes and organisers on all levels that make such a contribution to Welsh sport, from the grassroots to the elite."

Cyclist Geraint Thomas took the award in 2018 after his Tour de France triumph, joining a list of winners that includes Welsh sporting greats such as Calzaghe, footballer Gareth Bale, golfer Ian Woosnam and Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson.

Other awards which were given on the night included:
Voting for BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2019 opened at 07:30 GMT on Monday, 2 December and closed at 18:00 GMT on Sunday, 8 December. This event is not connected with the UK Sports Personality of the Year and is for the Wales award only.

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BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year 2019: Alun Wyn Jones wins award

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Wales men's rugby union captain Alun Wyn Jones is the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2019. This year the 34-year-old captained Wales to Grand Slam success and was named Six Nations player of the tournament, with the second row also leading Wales to the World Cup semi-finals in Japan.

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The 21-year-old succeeds fellow Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs and was presented with the award by Spurs great Clive Allen at Tottenham's training ground.

Bale beat Commonwealth champion bowler Robert Weale into second and 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene to third.

Blue Square Bet South champions Newport County were named Team of the Year in the awards ceremony at Celtic Manor.

Sean McGoldrick's achievement of reaching the bantamweight final at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi has been recognised as the Newport boxer won the Carwyn James Junior Sportsman of the Year.

McGoldrick lost to Sri Lankan Manju Wanniarachchi in the Delhi 2010 final to claim a silver medal, won of Wales' 19 medals at the Commonwealths.

Jade Jones was named Carwyn James Junior Sportswoman of the Year after the Flintshire youngster won the under 55kg Taekwondo gold medal winner at the Singapore Youth Olympics in August.

Welsh golfing legend Brian Huggett, who starred in six Ryder Cups and skippered Europe in 1977, was honoured for his outstanding career with a Lifetime Achievement award at the ceremony which fittingly overlooked the host course for the 2010 Ryder Cup.

And junior football coach Lisa Jones, of Penydarren Boys and Girls football club in Merthyr, won the Welsh Sports Unsung Hero award after eight years as a volunteer.

But Bale won the top award in the BBC Cymru Wales viewers' poll after a sensational year for Tottenham in the Champions League and Premier League.

The £10m left-sided star has scored 13 goals for club and country in a phenomenal 2010 as the Welsh international helped Spurs qualify for the European Cup.

Bale was then hailed as "amazing" by Spurs boss Harry Redknapp after two sensational performances against reigning European champions Inter Milan in the Champions League - a hat-trick in a 4-3 defeat at the San Siro before inspiring Tottenham to a 3-1 win in the return fixture.

The 27-times capped Welshman is widely-regarded as one of the finest young footballers in the world and his achievement is the ninth time a footballer has won the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year award in its 56-year history.

Bale could not be at the awards ceremony in Newport because the Cardiff-born player was with Tottenham's squad in the Netherlands ahead of their Champions League clash with FC Twente.

But he did tell BBC Cymru Wales: "It was a great honour just to be put up for the award so to win it is something special.

"I remember when I was a younger I was up for the young sports personality award and to be up for this now, shows how much I have come in the last couple of years.

"I'm not quite sure how to sum up my 2010 because I have not really dwelled on it, I have just got on with it.

"It has been a great year for me playing week in, week out, I've scored a few goals and the team qualified for the Champions League so there have been a lot of highlights but I'm just concentrating now and building for the future."

Bale, who arrived at White Hart Lane from Southampton in 2007, concedes he had a "rough time" at the start of his Spurs career as he suffered almost 18 months on the injury list after foot surgery and knee problems.

He then endured an unwanted record of playing 24 Premier League games without being on the winning side before Spurs' win over Burnley in September 2009.

Now his stunning performances of the left-flank, tormenting some of Europe's top defenders, have attracted the attentions of rivals clubs and Bale has been linked with a £60m move away from White Hart Lane.

"I do look back on certain things that have happened and it has been a great year for me," Bale concluded.

"Looking back on some things I think 'wow' and a year ago I did not think I would be doing stuff like that."
* Catch the full Gareth Bale interview on Sport Wales on BBC TWO Wales this Friday at 1900 GMT. * BBC Wales' 2010 Sports Review of the Year will be screened on BBC ONE Wales on Tuesday, 21 December at 2235 GMT.

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Gareth Bale wins BBC Wales Sports Personality award

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The 21-year-old succeeds fellow Welsh footballer Ryan Giggs and was presented with the award by Spurs great Clive Allen at Tottenham's training ground. Bale beat Commonwealth champion bowler Robert Weale into second and 400m hurdles champion Dai Greene to third. Blue Square Bet South champions Newport County were named Team of the Year in the awards ceremony at Celtic Manor.

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Calzaghe added the IBF title to the WBO title this year

World boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has been crowned BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2006.
Undefeated Calzaghe, 34, added the IBF world super middleweight belt to his WBO belt this year and was named the British Boxer of the Year.

He beat Nicole Cooke, Ryan Giggs, Bradley Dredge, David Davies and Michaela Breeze in a public vote.

Winning Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam won the merit award for outstanding contribution to Welsh sport.

Footballer Gareth Bale and golfer Breanne Loucks won the Carwyn James youngster awards at the prestigious ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort.

Bale, 17, became the youngest Wales international when he made his debut against Trinidad and Tobago in May aged 16 years and 315 days.

I won it in 2001, but now it's voted by the general public it feels even more special to win

And his superb goal in the 5-1 defeat to Slovakia in October then made him the youngest player to score for Wales.

Loucks, 18, won all three of her matches for the Great Britain and Ireland team in this year's Curtis Cup.

Wales' Commonwealth Games team won the Team of the Year award for returning with 19 medals from Melbourne.

The Unsung Hero Award went to Mandy Keating Georgetown Boys & Girls Football Club, near Merthyr Tydfil.

Calzaghe cemented his position as the world's best super middleweight by delivering a masterclass of boxing in comprehensively beating American Jeff Lacy in March to claim the IBF title.

The victory finally brought long-overdue acclaim and respect from the previously unconvinced US boxing media.

Ian Woosnam masterminded Europe's Ryder Cup triumph

Calzaghe then defended his WBO belt for the 19th time with a unanimous points victory over Sakio Bika.

"It feels good to win again," said Calzaghe. "I won it in 2001, but now it's voted by the general public it feels even more special to win.

"I'm getting on, I'm 34 years old, and to win it again is fantastic.

"A big thanks to my dad [trainer Enzo] who's been with me from the start. I've been waiting for years for this so-called career defining fight against Jeff Lacy.

"It's been a fantastic year for me and a great year for Welsh boxing."

Woosnam was presented with his award by Darren Clarke, one of Europe's heroes in September's Ryder Cup win over the United States at the K Club, near Dublin.

"It's nice to have this award and for Darren to present it to me," said the 48-year-old former US Masters champion.

"Let's make sure we win the Ryder Cup again in Wales in 2010."

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BBC SPORT | Wales | Calzaghe scoops BBC Wales honour

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Calzaghe added the IBF title to the WBO title this year World boxing champion Joe Calzaghe has been crowned BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year for 2006. Undefeated Calzaghe, 34, added the IBF world super middleweight belt to his WBO belt this year and was named the British Boxer of the Year.

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A full list of previous winners of the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award.

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WE ARE SPORT WALES.

We want Wales to be a more active, healthier nation.

We are the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales.

Explore more on our work to help sport in Wales thrive.

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We want Wales to be a more active, healthier nation. We are the national organisation responsible for developing and promoting sport and physical activity in Wales. Explore more on our work to help sport in Wales thrive.

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Sports are universal, and playing sports is a favorite activity and stress relief for many people around the world. It can provide us with enjoyment and may also freshen up our mind. However, playing sports is more than running, jumping, or kicking a ball on the field. Indulging in sports helps our body function smoothly and more efficiently.

Sports can help not only strengthens the body but also to connect and coordinate the neuromuscular connections between muscles to achieve full-body coordination. In addition to these physical benefits, the social interaction in sports combats depression, anxiety and helps create positive relationships, communities, and long term mental health in participants.

Health Benefits of Playing Sports

Let's have a look at the benefits of playing sports in detail.

May Lower The Risk of Heart Attack

Research published in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that physical activity can help lower the risk of heart attacks. Playing sports may help with the stretching ability of the heart's ventricles thereby allowing the heart to pump more blood with each beat. When the heart can pump more blood with each beat, your heart becomes more efficient and effective.

May Manage & Prevent Diabetes

Research performed by the Human Movement Sciences Department, Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA, has concluded that playing sports may help in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes.

May Aid in Weight Management

Obesity is a big issue faced by millions of people across the world. Over 55% of the adults in the US are obese, which is indirectly paving a way for chronic conditions. The American College of Sports Medicine says that this issue can be dealt with by indulging in sports or similar physical activities. In addition to this hunger was found to be suppressed by exercise in a study done by the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. This study found that a hormone that induces hunger, ghrelin, might be lowered in participants who exercised.

May Lower Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, may result in a stroke or heart disease. The National Health Service, UK suggests that aside from diet management, sports and physical activities can be important to keep the blood pressure normal.

May Balance Cholesterol Levels

Playing sports can also help in maintaining lower cholesterol levels. A 2009 report revealed that a 90-minute soccer match decreased the triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels of the twenty-two professional players who participated in the study.

May Improve Blood Circulation

Blood circulation can get better when you start playing sports. The body remains well oxygenated and thus, it may remain more healthy and active. Apart from blood circulation, being physically active can also increase the hemoglobin count and the volume of blood.

May Increase Immunity

Regularly indulging in exercise and sports can make the body immune to many diseases that usually affect a person due to weak immunity. When a person exercises, the rate at which white blood cells reach every body part may increase significantly. Playing sports could increase sweat production and might also remove toxins.

May Train and Tone Muscles

Sports could be the most integrative, fun, and the best form of workout for muscles. Strong, toned muscles are always desirable and that's what you can get when you consistently play active sports such as soccer, tennis, jogging, racquetball, baseball, and kickball. Both the strength and endurance of muscles may also increase with time and consistency of engaging in sports.

May Make Your Bones Stronger

Playing sports may strengthen not only the muscles but also the bones in your body. Bones may get their strength from increasing bone density which happens as you continually 'load' the bones with high power and strength movements. For example, running while playing sports loads the bone with much more weight than simply walking. This can create an adaptation within the bone in response to the increased stress for the bone to grow denser to be able to withstand this increased loading in the future. When you consistently apply stress to the bone it might continue to strengthen and become denser.

Aging naturally can decrease bone density, which can result in osteoporosis if we do not have our bone density up in youth and middle age. Taking up sports can perhaps be one of the easiest ways to maintain bone density and strength for people of all ages.

May Help You Maintain a Positive Attitude

Sports can bring a positive attitude to your life if played healthily. It can refresh the mind and may help in developing a positive and fresh outlook on life. A 2018 special edition of the Journal of Sport and Health Science (JSHS) revealed that team sports can not just enhance positivity in individuals, but it can bring communities together and build them too.

May Help Boost Self-esteem

Playing any particular sport might help in building self-esteem. When one improves in any particular sport or skill, one may feel good about it.

May Help You Maintain Discipline

Discipline becomes a natural part of life when you start spending time playing sports. This is because sports can inspire people to live life by certain rules and regulations and move towards a positive end. Children who indulge in sports might feel healthier and can develop better and healthier relationships with other people because a positive, team-based outlook is instilled in them.

May Help Build Mutual Respect

Playing sports can build mutual respect for others as it includes playing opposite people but at the same time respecting them even if they have a negative attitude towards you.

May Increase a Sense of Calmness

Sports could train your mind to think calmly and find new strategies to deal with problems without getting too hyper.

May Encourage Teamwork

Playing sports might help you build good relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and traits. It encourages teamwork and thus helps in preparing you to work with different people harmoniously.

May Aid in Bettering Goal-Setting Skills

Goal setting means that every person needs to have an idea about what he/she wants, whether it is in a game or life. Sports may help in goal-setting and will improve performance levels in other areas of life.

Safety Tips

Play under Expert Supervision: Try playing sports under the supervision of experienced players in the beginning and take their advice on how to play the game without getting hurt.

Do Warm-up Exercises: These exercises help increase the elasticity of muscles, which prevents muscle injuries, cramps, and sprains.

Stay Hydrated: Athletes of all ages should begin their activities in a well-hydrated state to avoid a dip in performance as well as dehydration-related health conditions.

Acclimation in Hot and Humid Conditions: If you plan to play sports in the heat for longer than an hour and a half, it is a good idea to add a sports drink. Take breaks and drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid Playing on Rainy or Stormy Days: It is best to not play during severe weather conditions such as lightning.
Concussions: Make sure children wear helmets if cycling. If you have suffered a head injury, it is advisable to visit the doctor.

Cool-down Exercises: It is important to do gentle stretches and rest after playing any sport. The heart rate normalizes and the muscles relax.

Start small if you are a Senior Citizen: Older people should start with small sessions because the body tends to lose its muscle capacity with age. It is best to consult with a doctor and a trained expert before starting a new exercise regimen.

Obesity and exercise: Obese people should indulge in sports in a controlled manner as they are more susceptible to sports injuries.

Make Sports a Part of Your Lifestyle

Playing sports should not be limited to the field of your school, college, or community. Even when you're at home or working, sparing at least 30 minutes for any sport you love can be very helpful.

It is not advisable to only see sports as a strenuous activity that you are doing for the sake of health. Instead, take it as a hobby and enjoy it. Encourage your family members to be a part of your sport too. This will give a boost to the overall health of the family.

Activities such as cycling, swimming, running, and even walking are some of the physical activities that can be done daily. It must not be forgotten that playing sports alone will not give you a healthy body and mind. Many other factors such as nutritional intake, the stress levels in your life, or even the clothes or shoes that you're wearing must also be considered.

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Top 16 Benefits of Playing Sports | Organic Facts

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Sports are universal, and playing sports is a favorite activity and stress relief for many people around the world. It can provide us with enjoyment and may also freshen up our mind. However, playing sports is more than running, jumping, or kicking a ball on the field.