Sports help build positive emotions and a competitive spirit. Players who take part in competitive sports develop self-esteem, respect for opponents, and a never-give-up attitude. They also develop teamwork and effective communication. Sports help students develop the ability to work together. It requires effort and energy, but does not detract from schoolwork. Many sports require memorization, repetition, and goal-setting.
A child who is involved in sports learns to set goals and to plan ahead for a team’s performance. They also learn the importance of fair play and not taking losses personally. A child who plays sport learns to never give up and to embrace adversity with grace. It also helps them develop their analytical and observational skills. A positive attitude can make all the difference in a game.
In today’s modern world, sports have become an important part of national and international identity. It’s important to acknowledge the role played by media in shaping how fans react to various sports events. The media’s influence is often felt most acutely during the Olympic games, when athletes have to compete in prime time. Throughout the competition, commercial television networks air advertisements interspersed with sports coverage. But the media’s influence in sports is not limited to commercial interests. Some spectators and athletes are critical of the media’s influence on sport.
In the past, the fortunes of male athletes have shaped national identity. England’s fall from cricket dominance, for example, has been viewed as a symptom of a social malaise. Likewise, sports have been instrumental in preserving national identity and tradition. Clifford Geertz’s study of Balinese cockfighting demonstrates how the culture of sports is linked to national identity.
