Conference on combatting crime through sports begins
Twenty-five countries are taking part in the four-day event
Dubai: More than 25 countries are taking part in the four-day conference on combating crime through sports.
The event kicked off yesterday with researchers presenting their studies about the positive effect of sports in reducing and preventing crime rates among the youth. It will conclude on Thursday.
In his keynote address at the inauguration of the conference, Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Chief of Dubai Police, emphasised on the importance of physical activity to prevent crimes.
He said there are six cases of juvenile delinquency in Dubai. Two juveniles are already convicted and the rest are in detention. According to statistics compiled by the Criminal Investigation Department in the nine months of this year till September, 328 juvenile crimes were reported, out of which 292 cases involved boys and 36 girls.
The juveniles were mainly pupils between the age group of 14 and 17. In some crimes, even younger juveniles took part.
Professor Mohammad Torabi from the US presented a paper on the use of tobacco leading to illicit drug use and how sports and physical activities can help youngsters wean away from such habits.
His research revealed a strong correlation between tobacco and illegal drugs, which youngsters try to experiment. This in turn leads to criminal activities.
According to him, the three leading causes of death are heart attacks, strokes and cancers brought about by tobacco usage, physical inactivity, and poor diet.
Dr Gary Roberts from Canada will be presenting a paper today about using sports to prevent crime and substance abuse by strengthening its potential.
According to him, "it cannot be assumed that by simply making a sports programme available to youngsters will have positive effects. There is a hidden programme every time sports is played … there is as yet not much rigorous research on what the optimum conditions are for achieving various desirable outcomes."
