Are you a Sports Junky

The county of Iran is as unique in its choice of sports as it is in its politics and geographical terrain. The hardy Iranians are known for their versatility and hospitality, but on the sports field, they are real hard-hitters. In Iran, the preference is for freestyle wrestling. It is a traditional and the national sport of Iran. The people here harbor a preference for all kinds of combat sports and martial arts.

They are diehard fans of Taekwondo, Greco Roman Wrestling, Kung Fu and Karate. Another very popular sport in Iran is association football. The game plans of volleyball and Futsal are also widely practiced by the young and old alike. The wrestling and weight lifting championships are regular events in Iran. It is interesting to note that men and women take an active part in sports and make a great audience. In Iran, sport is a medium of release of energy and ability. There is great respect attached to the world of sport here.

A number of sports have gone on to being associated closely with certain nations as their national sports. Some of them are listed below:

* In Afghanistan, Buzkashi is a traditional sport and this variation of polo comfortably co-exists with association football, cricket and boxing.

* In Albania, the national sport is association football.

* In the, the national sport is cricket

*Bahrain has association football as its national sport.

* In Bangladesh, the national sport is ‘Kabaddi’, a variation of the tug-of-war and it co-exists with the recent interest developed in cricket and field hockey.

* Barbados has cricket as its national sport.

* In Iceland, the national sport is Glima.

* India celebrates hockey as the national sport, while the cricket fever continues day in and out.

Different countries and people have their individual preferences and certain games stir their sentiments. Sports have played a major role in uniting people all through history

Sports of all types and played at all levels are covered by large television and radio audiences who are commonly attracted to the telecast, not because of being far away from the place where the event is taking place, but for the love of sport. Today, the media plays a big role in the world of sport and rival broadcasters now bid large amounts of money for the exclusive ‘rights’ not only to broadcast a game, but also to show certain edited fixtures and phases of the game. The FIFA World Cup is a classic example. Association football attracts a global radio and television audience, whose number literally runs into hundreds of millions.

Records reveal that the finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2006 attracted an estimated worldwide audience of more than 700 million! The Super Bowl championship game of the NFL in the United States of America has gone on record as ‘one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year’!

Spectator sports refer to any sport being played before an audience. Though technology has now changed this concept and many chess and other indoor sport competitions are being conducted online, with spectators at their computer screens! Most sports are a form of recreation for the participants. They are played in front of a live audience.

In the case of most professional sports, they are played in a ‘theatre’ like arena like a stadium or race track. Sports are also played at golf courses, arenas, on open roads, with of course the provision for public convenience. Most sports are spectator sports. Whether the audience witnesses the game live, at the stadium or arena, or is a passive one, watching the relay on television or online, all sports have spectators. This aspect of sports adds to the quality and competitive spirit of sports, with the spectators being just as involved in the game plan as the players themselves !

Sports have many affinities with the physical arts. Sporting events like Tai Chi, Ice Skating and Bull Fighting make artistic spectacles by themselves and flaunt the human ability. Other sports that have the elements of sport and art in their execution include gymnastics, baseball and the drum corps. These ports are reported in the arts pages of newspapers. Art is an integral part of the sports world because it is in fact related to the very nature of sports.

The definition of “sports” amply describes the activities as those pursued to the best of our individual ability. The artistic or aesthetic value of sport is something over and above the strictly functional aspect. The true value of sport lies in the display of its grace, poise and charisma. For example the sporting performance such as jumping impresses us because of the ability and skill and style that is displayed. Art and sports were clearly linked even in ancient Greece. Way back then, like now, gymnastics and calisthenics stir admiration and appreciation for the physical prowess of the participants.

Modern sport in has seen a lot of motorization. Research reveals that in the history of Ireland, Gaelic sports were strongly associated with a sense of nationalism that was cultural in nature. Interestingly, in Ireland, till the 20th century, a person could be banned from playing sports administered by the GAA or the Gaelic Athletic Association, like hurling and Gaelic football.

There was a ban also on the support or participation in sports of British origin like soccer. The ban on the playing of soccer at Gaelic venues has only just been lifted by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Although the ban is still slightly enforced, it has been modified. Ireland’s association with sports is an ancient one and has been consistently ruled by the animosity with the British. Ireland’s nationalism in sports is now evident in its redeveloped and rejuvenated interest in the pursuit of sports and its reporting. The Irish people compete in national and regional teams and commentators and audiences now adopt a partisan view.