Sports in secondary schools: to what extent are students interested in this field?

Media Development Agency project: Physical and spiritual development of children and youth As part of our project to promote sports among children, adolescents and young people, our next interlocutor was Maarif Hajiyev, a physical education teacher at the "Zangi" lyceum in Baku. At the beginning of the conversation, he first provided information about himself: "I - Maarif Hajiyev Hajiyev Arif oglu graduated from the Institute of Physical Culture and Sports in 1989. From that year until 1995, I worked as a physical education teacher at school No. 213 in Sabunchu district. Since 1995, I have been a physical education teacher and head of the method association at "Zangi" lyceum." M.Hajiyev said that students participate in all competitions and achieve high results. He stated that students are more interested in basketball and football: "The sports that students are most interested in are football, basketball, and Eastern martial arts. We organize fun games according to our conditions to increase students' interest in sports. We constantly hold chess, basketball, and mini-football competitions. Lessons and sports festivals based on healthy competition, respect for opponents, the creation of leadership skills and many other values ​​lead to the discovery of children's talents in various sports." Our interlocutor also talked about ways to motivate children: "We organize meetings with famous athletes to encourage students. One of them is Elnur Mammadli. Also, a meeting with Rasul Chunayev was held at our lyceum. Such meetings make children happy." He noted that good infrastructure should be created in schools to increase interest in sports among children and youth: "The most important and only way to increase the level of sports and keep students away from bad habits is to improve the conditions. The condition of sports grounds and halls must be improved. This will allow us to teach physical education more effectively. In this case, children's interest in sports will increase even more." M.Hajiyev emphasized that if children want to become successful athletes in the future, they must always participate in physical education classes: "The importance of physical education is great in achieving sports achievements. I believe that our athletes who achieve results have never missed physical education classes at school, they have always participated. Teachers gave them the right direction. Each of our successful athletes loved physical education at school. Because children who love physical education grow up as champions." The physical education teacher said that they are in close contact with the students' parents: "We have conversations with the students' parents. When we see that children are interested in any kind of sport, we talk about this topic with their parents. We give recommendations to help students. Parents also want their children to become athletes." Nur Zeynalova The article was published with the financial support of the Media Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan