Sports are very important to people in many ways, especially kids. Sports are much like life. YOu win some, lose some, take a whippin, make mistakes, get acknowledgement for your efforts, it promotes teamwork, and it compels you to do your best ALWAYS, regardless of what you are up against.
It encompasses social well-being and sportsmanship. If taught correctly, it can also teach you how to be a gracious winner and loser.
THere are many sports that were "invented" by different people.
In some societies, your government pays you to excel in a sport, if you are good enough. In america, you have an opportunity to go to school and earn a degree, by getting a scholarship to go to school. I coached a kid who excelled in baseball, and gained a scholarship to play for West Point. He wouldnt have been able to go to school because of is lack of finances. NOw, he's a nuclear engineer.
Finally, there is no better feeling as a kid to hit a homerun!