Many countries spend too much money on training of a few individuals for international sports competitions. Some people think that governments should invest more in ordinary people instead. Do you agree or disagree? Give your opinion and examples.
Since
the turn of the twentieth century, every country has been allocating an
increasing amount to training of sports practitioners for international
competitions. This move carries several benefits for the society, but, nevertheless,
this does not prevent critics from pointing out at its failings, and proposing
diversion of funds for welfare of common populace.
Those against this notions suggest that funding
of sports training and facilities seems to be a justifiable move: modern form
of sports has become associated with national pride, and successful performers
have been accorded the status of national heroes. Each sterling performance by
players, in individual or team disciplines, on international platforms tends to
raise stakes of a country as a sporting and a youthful society. This, in turn,
helps bolster the image of a nation as being one that prioritizes welfare of
people: outstanding players, directly or indirectly, reflect overall health
index of natives.
Moreover,
state participation in rendering financial assistance to sportsmen and women playing
at international level is dubbed as a noble move: inspiring local populace to
take up sports; thereby following some kind of sporting routine that can help
them healthy and fit. A healthy population can directly contribute to the
productivity of a country, and minimize public spending on health services.
However,
those who vouching for this proposal express their strong reservations; there are better venues
waiting for hard earned money of taxpayers, as they feel. Such extravagancies
hardly do any good to those struggling to make both ends meet, and those subjected
to leading a life in sub-human conditions, due to absence of certain crucial components
that can only be taken care of by the state.
To
conclude, I feel, pessimist view held by certain detractors of sports fails to
hold water, and state funding of international sports should continue. Sporting activities can bring several direct and indirect benefits.