Importance of Sports in Society

Importance of Sports in Society
As a country that is seeking to develop positive values and
attitudes in young people, we need to understand and

appreciate the value of sport. Sport is the most powerful unifying force in the world. Sport brings joy to many people and provides an outlet for their energies, talents and skills. I therefore have a vision of Jamaica and how we can develop sport in this country.
Ms. Portia Simpson Miller, Jamaican Prime Minister in 2006

WINNING in a sporting event is not a matter of life or death it is much more important than that.
William James moral equivalent of war the search for something other than war that would enhance a person's self-discipline, hardiness and self-sacrifice.
Often seen as a trivial aspect of life by many. The elitist view sport is of the body and not the mind, and therefore not intellectual or refined enough to merit such attention.

The Moral Equivalent of War ..need for a way of life that is so exciting that youth no longer turn to violence and unruly behaviour out of emptiness and boredom. Sports may be an answer.
Politics
Religion Racism

Politics ..if only world politics could be as well organized as the World Cup (Soccer) Games.
Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General in 2006
UN : 191 members
FIFA : 207 members
Degree of openness and transparency. Difficulty in getting much media attention for issues like foreign aid. Migration difficult but soccer teams have players drawn from the best across the world. Similarly local soccer teams international supporters.

Politics Soccer tip of the sporting iceberg. Olympics biggest peacetime event in modern history. UK-based Simon Anholt sees Olympics as one of the best ways to get international attention. Olympics a highly political activity. Partly designed that way countries would compete on the sporting field rather than the battlefield. International Olympics Committee Games are above politics. IOC moved from Paris to Lausanne, in neutral Switzerland to show that it was not associated with politics.

Politics IOC does not produce medal tally. thinks of competitors as individuals in their own right. But all this above politics talk is just wishful thinking. Because Olympic Games marketed as being above politics so attractive to politicians. Games a showcase of a countrys ability1936 Berlin Olympics ..2008 Beijing Olympics.
Games riddled with politics

major recurring political issue is participation 1920 - Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary and Turkey banned.

Politics
1948 - Japan, West and East Germany did not attend. Soviet Union did not participate until the 1952 Games. Communist East Germany took part for the first time in 1968. 1952 - Taiwan withdrew from the Games because mainland China allowed to participate. China resigned from the Olympic Movement in 1958 did not rejoin until 1971. 1960 South Africa banned from the Olympics did not rejoin until 1991, when it had its first African president (Nelson Mandela).

Politics
1976 Montreal Games - twenty countries withdrew 1980 - US President Jimmy Carter called on IOC to move the 1980 Olympics out of Moscow.
- IOC refused
- US (and about 60 allies) boycotted the Games. 1984 Games - held at Los Angeles, California.
- USSR and thirteen communist allies boycotted.

- did not want to help President Reagan in re-election campaign.
- also a revenge for the US boycott in 1980.

1988 Games held at Seoul - North Korea and some communist allies (such as Cuba) boycotted them.

Politics Olympics now just so big that they crowd out usual political activities.
Few countries would have election campaign during the Games. Voters would be far more interested in the Games than in the games of the politicians.
Also means that politicians try to capitalize on the feel good factor for their own election campaigns after the event.

Religion
Play and recreation are as important to the soul as to the body, and many games have more mysteries baked into them than most people realize. ... Sports are highly symbolic and usually ritualistic ... It is a short step from the sports stadium to the church or temple, insofar as sports involve ritual and contemplation--we watch games with intense absorption. - Former US priest, now best-selling author Thomas Moore Olympics are religious bring people together across national, ethnic or racial lines. Global glorification of the diversity and energy of humankind. Creation of the Modern Games influenced by religion.

Religion In a broader sense, the Games have become a secular religion. The Games contain passion, grandeur and excitement. Cannot get them in religious institutions. The Games are also religious in their format. highly organized opening and closing ceremonies oaths colourful processions rites and songs.

Racism One of the major changes in the last few decades determined effort to end racism. In the early 20th century, Afro-Americans had only two ways out of their poverty entertainment sport People running these industries and audiences usually whites. Tensions were inevitable.

Racism After World War II, US began to do more to end racism in sport. Sports administrators in the US and elsewhere recognizing that black people had talent. A black who did well in sport had to be exceptional - had to overcome more obstacles than the average white. Sports administrators and promoters missing out on a valuable resource.
Therefore the opportunities gradually opened up to them.

UNICEF recognizes role of sport and play in childrens lives. At the most fundamental level, sport and play are a childs right. As detailed in article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child: States shall recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

Professional Sports Winning is not everything, it is the only thing. Failure in sport is not an option. The dream of success rags to riches / zero to hero! 100% commitment needed even when injured win at all costs hotbed of chaos, violence, and mean-spiritedness.
Power & Performance Sports Versus Pleasure & Participation Sports

Power/Performance 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Use power to push limits in pursuit of victories Excellence proved through winning Body = tool and weapon Competence-based inclusion/exclusion Hierarchical structures Opponents = enemies 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Pleasure/Participation Emphasis on connections between people Ethic of expression, enjoyment, health Body = source of pleasure Inclusion & accommodation of differences Democratic structures Compete with others

Business Sport can be a multi-million Rupee industry, committed to entertainment market and motivated by profit. Generates business that contributes towards the nations economy. Means of livelihood for people. Improvement of infrastructure.
. To Yossarian, the idea of pennants as prizes was absurd. Like Olympic medals and tennis trophies, all they signified was that the
owner had done something of no benefit to

anyone, more capably than everyone else.
Extract from the novel Catch22

Character building Sport not just an end in itself, but an effective tool to help improve the lives of children, families and communities. Sport, recreation and play fun way to learn values and lessons that will last a life time. Promotes friendship fair play justice Teaches team work discipline respect coping skills Instills self-reliance confidence

Prepares young people to to meet the challenges they will face, learning that mistakes are part of acquiring mastery; and to take leadership roles within their communities. Brings in virtues of honesty integrity loyalty patriotism Encouragement inspires effort high standards instill respect and responsibility Encourages kids to be fierce and friendly (no demonizing) on the field
Conclusion
When countries compete internationally they want to succeed. International sporting success gives status to a country in the eyes of the rest of the world.
Sport success can

unify citizens and create national pride,
at a blanket level it can increase the nations health, and

Help in character building and personality development of people. A HEALTHY MIND NEEDS A HEALTHY BODY AS MUCH AS A HEALTHY BODY NEEDS A HEALTHY MIND
THE END

Importance of Sports in Society

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