Costa Rican athletes helped out at the National Children's Hospital ©CONCRC

The Costa Rican National Olympic Committee (CONCRC) has marked World Kidney Day by bringing sport to hundreds of youngsters at the country's National Children's Hospital.

Boys and girls were given the chance to exercise alongside some top Costa Rican athletes, with those taking part aged between seven and 12.

Taekwondo, judo, karate, cycling and roller-skating were part of the day with the aim of encouraging the children to regularly take part in sport and physical exercise.

This, it is hoped, will keep them fit and healthy enough to face transplants or other medical issues.

While the youngsters were taking part, their parents were able to attend a lecture on the psychological and social benefits of sport for children and teenagers.

This was given by CONCRC psychologist Laura Moreira.

Cycling was one of the sports tried out by the youngsters
Cycling was one of the sports tried out by the youngsters ©CONCRC

"We are happy to see that the children could play sports," said CONCRC President Henry Núñez.

"We have to rescue the parks, plazas, open gyms, football fields, areas for skating and biking, but also take the time to run after a ball with our children."

Marianella Howell, a doctor who works at the hospital who co-ordinated the event for CONCRC, said: "I had never seen the children have fun and laugh the way they did with Costa Rican athletes.

"We had a child with hip problems, who was all happy practicing sport."