Writers 
To some people, sports are simply entertainment. They watch football, basketball, athletics, boxing, tennis or other competitions for excitement, goals, trophies and celebrations. However, the game is just the beginning of it. They can have a transformational effect on character, opportunities, people and lives.
In many ways, sports are a means for young people to dream. A boy who starts kicking a football in the street someday may play in a professional football stadium. A young athlete running on a dusty field can go on to represent a school, community, state, and/or country. A simple passion can lead to education, employment, recognition and a better future.
In addition to winning, there are lessons to be learned through sport. They teach discipline. An athlete doesn't become great by wishing, he becomes great by working hard. Training, consistency, sacrifice, patience and commitment must be given. There's a lot of practice that most people don't see behind every great performance.
Failure is another lesson that is learned through sports. All athletes will fail at some time. A team may lose a final. There is a player who may miss a golden opportunity. An injury can come at the wrong time in a good career. But if it fails, it's not the end of the world. It can turn into a learning, improvement, and comeback moment.
One of the most important values that sports impart is teamwork. Even though one person might be the best, in many sports people have to collaborate as a group to achieve a common goal. Players learn to trust each other, communicate, take responsibility and support teammates. These lessons can be helpful for families, schools, workplaces and communities.
Sports also have the power to unite people. The passion has the ability to unite individuals from diverse backgrounds during significant events. They can be different language, different community, and different beliefs, but the same goal, race, victory, or achievement. Sports can be a tool for helping to make connections that otherwise would not be made.
But trophies and medals are not the sole measure of the value of sport. When a youth learns discipline in sports, he or she has acquired something they will keep with them for a lifetime. If he or she becomes self-assured after competing, he or she has acquired something that is valuable. When someone learns how to respect their opponents now that he or she has lost, he or she has learned something valuable.
Sports also have the power to motivate those who are observing from the sidelines. A child's determination to follow a dream can be inspired by one athlete. A comeback can be a reminder to one that failure is not final. Sportsmanship can be a good example to show the importance of character.
Sure, that's why sports are more than a game. They are a classroom but they teach lessons about courage, discipline, teamwork, resilience, humility and perseverance.
The scoreboard tells us who came out on top in the match, but not always who grew, who learned, who persevered, or who was changed in the match.
Sports starts with games but it leaves a life-long lesson.