The Impact Of Sports On Society

Sports have remained to be an important part of society for decades. The Olympic Games, which are more than 2700 years old, are perhaps the most prominent sporting activity that has become an integral part of sports culture. The importance of these sporting activities is demonstrated by the efforts made by countries to be considered as hosts or individuals to be considered participants. In this regard, sports drive various aspects of culture and society.

To start with, the economic impact of sports on the society is no secret. A sport like a Football is believed to be among the most popular sports. On the same note, the FIFA world cup is ranked among the most expensive sports with the 2018 FIFA World cup costing about $14.2 billion ( Rambhia, 2019). Such facts make sports a billion-dollar business. Therefore sports tournaments such as the FIFA world cup have had a major impact on local economies for the hosting countries and regions. For example, the Russian government estimates that the economic impact of FIFA world cup 2018 on the country’s GDP to be about US$ 13.80 bn (Rambhia, 2019). Similarly, in 2010, the economic impact of the New York Marathon on the city of New York was estimated at $340 million. Besides, the Chicago Cubs inject $600 million into Illinois states. (Depta, 2015).The spending of huge amounts of money leads to the creation of jobs for individuals. It also makes businesses in those regions to thrive. The economic impact of sports is also witnessed through the jobs created by sports activities.  For example, the number of jobs created by the sports industry in America in 2013 was 456,000 jobs. These included occupations in sports such as agents, referees, coaches, stadium vendors, and athletes. (Depta, 2015).

Similarly, sports lead to cultural exchange between individuals. Sports bring together individuals from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. While interacting with teammates or fellow spectators, individuals have an opportunity to learn different cultural aspects such as language, mannerism or cultural dances. Similarly, sports make it possible for individuals to put aside their ethnic and nationality differences to work for a common goal. Through sportspeople speaking different languages have an opportunity to enjoy each other’s company regardless of whether they understand each other’s language or not. Also, sports provide an opportunity for people from different cultures to learn from each other when dancing to the same music or playing the same game. Therefore, sports bring about integration in societies and provide an opportunity for cultural exchange (Jarvie, 2013).

Another impact of sports on culture and society is also witnessed through ensuing national unity in major international tournaments. Such tournaments make it possible for people to come together to support their national teams and country at large. For a movement, people develop a sense of pride in their nationality and forget any cultural aspects that characterize them to show solidarity for their teams. For example, during the 2014 FIFA World cup, a huge number of Americans turned out to support their national team. The number of tickets sold to US residents in America during the world cup was 200,000. The event provided a platform where people from different backgrounds rallied behind their team to show national unity and pride. On the same note, America’s match against Portugal was recorded in the boos of history as the most-watched football match in the history of the United States of America with a total viewership of 24.7 million (Depta, 2015). National unity brings about better integration in society. This may also be advantageous to marginalized members of society, such as refugees, by providing them with an opportunity to have fun and make friends. Also, better integration in society may provide employment and educational opportunities for them. Finally, better integration brings about vitality and diversity in society.

Sports have an important role in creating healthy societies. Taking part in sports brings about multiple health benefits. For example, engaging in physical activity brings about multiple health benefits, including reducing the risk of premature death or developing common conditions such as depression, stress, obesity, diabetes or anxiety. Physical exercise benefits people from all age groups and gender. For the young taking part in sports leads to string bones and effective lung and heart functioning. Similarly, sports help women by reducing the risk of osteoporosis and hip fractures. For the elderly taking part in sports leads to an improvement in the quality of life (Kempen, 2019). Besides, an emphasis on sports might create a sports culture when individuals take part in sporting activities on their own volition because they look up to certain sports personalities. An increase in the number of people taking part in sports is therefore likely to lead to healthy societies.

In conclusion, sports benefit societies and cultures in multiple ways. They lead to better integration in society and provide a platform for cultural exchange between different cultures. Also, sport leads to healthy societies, improve local economies, and provide a source of livelihood to individuals.

References

Depta, L. (2015). 12 Ways Sports Make a Positive Impact. Retrieved 10 December 2019, from https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2347988-12-ways-sports-make-a-positiveimpact#slide0

Jarvie, G. (2013). Sport, culture, and society: an introduction. Routledge.

Kempen, P. (2019). Sport as an instrument for improving health. Retrieved 10 December 2019, from https://www.toolkitsportdevelopment.org/html/topic_05DD0767-603B-4585-A628-6FF8F97E0427_86C2AB75-ECFA-4959-99AA-01FC8EFC7275_2.htm

Rambhia, A. (2019). The Economics Of The FIFA World Cup 2018 In Russia. Retrieved 10 December 2019, from https://www.instarem.com/blog/the-economics-of-the-fifa-world-cup-2018-in-russia/