Some people argue
that competitive sports are good for bringing together different people and
cultures. Others argue that these sports can cause problems and increase
conflicts between nations. Discuss both points of view and give your own
opinion.
Competitive sports has managed to create a niche for itself,
especially on grounds of opening doors to interaction of diverse cultures and
beliefs: a platform that renders opportunities for two-way friendly
communication though there are contradictory views and fears about frictions,
resulting out of this kind of competition.
Competitive sports helps create a miracle: when team
contingents travel to the host cities, they are followed by their keen fans who
mingle with the natives of the country being visited. This intermingling
creates a conducive atmosphere for a direct interaction of cultures and people
get an opportunity to appreciate each other and develop a mutual understanding:
thus weeding out long held complaints and bitterness between two nations.
On the top of that, sports that involve competition also
help people to vent out their national affiliations in a very peaceful manner
without causing any harm. The teams involved in the game battle it out in a
sports arena without using any violent means, and the fans cheer and hoot their
favorites, and rivals respectively in a very cordial environment inside a
stadium. After the game is over, both the players and fans greet each other
decently: thus creating a harmonious environment.
However, this kind of sports competition fuels misunderstandings
among different countries. This owes to political class countries peddling
narratives to suit their objectives: leaders rouse public emotions on the name
of patriotism, often termed as jingoism – interpreting victories over rivals as invasions, and insulting people of rival
nations. This is bound to evoke a hostile response and result in restricting
harmonious interaction.
To conclude, I personally feel, the fears expressed by the
detractors lack any substance; competitive sports is already creating an
atmosphere for a dialogue between
civilizations.