Sports are a great way to keep fit, have fun and improve your life. In fact, many people believe that sports are the best form of exercise and can be used to treat a number of medical conditions.
Definition of Sport
A sport is an activity involving physical exertion and skill, which is usually undertaken competitively. It is governed by a set of rules or customs, which serve to ensure fair competition and consistent adjudication of the winner.
National Identity and Sport
In the past, sports were often viewed as a means of representing and affirming specific views of national identity. This was particularly the case in the final decades of the 19th century, when both established and outsider groups were using sports as a means of constructing and maintaining particular views of nationhood.
Symbolic Reenactments of Conflicts
In times of war, sports can become a means of expressing and affirming national or regional identity. For example, the Soviet Union’s suppression of reformist efforts in Hungary and Czechoslovakia was followed by symbolic reenactments of these events in the form of Olympic water-polo matches (U.S.S.R. versus Hungary) and ice hockey encounters (U.S.S.R. against Czechoslovakia).
Social Skills and Communication
Sport also helps students develop good social and communication skills by bringing them together with other students who share the same interest. This fosters a sense of community that can later be useful in their careers and relationships.
