Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Hina Sidhu urges children to try six sports before specialising
Hina Sidhu says children should try different sports before choosing just one.
She believes learning many kinds of movement can help children build a strong physical foundation.
Gymnastics can teach body control and mobility.
Swimming can build confidence in the water and improve endurance.
Running, jumping and throwing help children practise basic movements.
Team ball sports can teach them to notice space and work with others.
Racket sports help with timing and tracking a moving ball or shuttle.
Judo and wrestling can teach children control and how to fall safely.
Sidhu says versatile skills can help children in whichever sport they choose later.
Former world No. 1 pistol shooter and Arjuna Awardee Hina Sidhu urged parents not to rush children into early sports specialisation.
She recommended children try gymnastics, swimming, athletics, team ball sports, racket sports and contact sports.
Sidhu said gymnastics can build mobility, body control and awareness of body position.
She said swimming, athletics and team sports help develop skills including endurance, basic movement, communication and spatial awareness.
Sidhu said racket and contact sports can help children develop coordination, timing, physical control and resilience.
- Who
- Hina Sidhu, former World No. 1 pistol shooter and Arjuna Awardee, addressed parents.
- What
- She recommended that children try six types of sports before specialising in one.
- When
- The article does not specify when Sidhu made the appeal.
- Where
- Sidhu made the appeal on social media; no specific location is given.
- Why
- She said a range of sports can develop versatile movement skills and a stronger physical foundation.
Early specialisation
Multisport development
When children should focus on one sport
Early specialisation
The article describes a view among some parents that specialising early is a fast track to athletic success.
Multisport development
Sidhu argues that children should first try a range of sports and build versatile movement skills.
Benefits of contact sports
Early specialisation
Some parents may hesitate about children taking part in contact sports.
Multisport development
Sidhu recommends judo and wrestling, saying they can teach leverage, control, boundaries and how to fall safely, rather than making children aggressive.
- Recommended sports
- Gymnastics, swimming, athletics, team ball sports, racket sports and contact sports
- Athletics examples
- Running, jumping and throwing
- Team ball sport examples
- Football, basketball and hockey
- Racket sport examples
- Tennis, badminton and squash
- Contact sport examples
- Judo and wrestling
- Advice
- Try a mix of sports before committing to one discipline