ABSTRACT
Play, as Huizinga has pointed out, is a cross-cultural universal, expression in an almost unlimited variety of ways the primal biological urge to move, explore, discover, risk, test, master, create and – of paramount importance – have fun. At its very roots, it is free, spontaneous and creative. At its most institutionalized rule-bound form, it is sport. Play is justifiably an authentic end, a way of being, in and of itself. However, at the root of the problem is an over-emphasis on achievement, which most frequently is expressed in competitive play experiences provided by adults for children. It is suggested that play environments and programmes be organized in line with the joint needs of the participant and his/her community. Such competitive environments are entirely appropriate for certain participant groups whose needs and objectives are met. For others, however, it is suggested that settings and programmes must be selected, modified, and/or created to meet co-operative or individual needs.
