The conference was organized in line with contemporary educational and health-oriented approaches that emphasize the role of sport and movement in enhancing holistic health and quality of life. It focused on supporting the physical, psychological, and social development of Cycle 1 students (Grades 1 to 4), both within Physical Education classes and across other academic subjects.

The Excel Conference is an international scientific conference organized by Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS), a government institution in the Emirate of Sharjah dedicated to supporting women’s sports and advancing related scientific fields. The conference serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and research dissemination among academics, practitioners, and decision-makers addressing key issues in women’s sports.

Prof Walter’s paper was entitled “Physical activity and the promotion of mental and emotional health in early primary schoolchildren”. She also shared information on the work of the UNESCO Chair on ‘Physical Activity and Health in Educational Settings' in relation to the KaziBantu Research Project and the bouquet of open source resources available to assist teachers in the teaching on Physical Education in resource scarce schools.

Further information can be obtained from Prof. Cheryl Walter (cheryl.walter@mandela.ac.za).