Residual benefit is they grow to love running, which they can do their whole life for exercise. I try to emphasize lifetime fitness for kids as much as possible. Swimming is also great for this reason and could probably use the millions of dollars to build pools.

Basketball is pretty easy to play your whole life but harder entry for unathletic kids. Making a basket is surprisingly hard for many kids to do.

Sports like football and baseball are fun to watch but not great for developing lifetime fitness imo. Baseball isn't that much actual exercise and both are tough to play throughout your life as you need 18 (baseball) or 14 (7v7 football) to play. It's tough to had your exercise dependant on finding that many people to play regularly.

Another great lifetime fitness sport for young girls is dancing because it translates well to things like zumba which is easy to find anywhere you go and you can do it most of your life.