Sport over the years has witnessed some wonderful signs of unity, times where political and religious differences have been set aside, and athletes have risen above such clashes and respected their opponents as fellow athletes and individuals. Of course sadly there are times when that has definitely not been the case. However, most of the time sport has the power to unite.
If we look at any sporting team and those who support it, those people come from all different backgrounds, and support that team for a myriad of different reasons. Yet when the game is on they join together to support their team. These teams unite people of all races and religions. When a person supports their team it would be hard to find anyone who cares if the people around them are different from them. It becomes irrelevant, as they focus on the unity of all the people around them supporting their team.
This coming together does not have to be restricted to just fans and followers of sports, it can transfer into the team or club itself. Sport has the power to create friendships between people who would not normally communicate.
If you are ever fortunate to attend a major sporting event in any sport, be it a World Cup, an Olympic Games, or even a more regional event involving different nations you will witness first hand how sport has the ability to unite nations, and create a peaceful atmosphere between countries that away from sport may be promoted as steeped in hatred and at war. When it comes to sport most athletes understand that the way they behave is showcasing their country to the rest of the world, and not just their own image. Most sporting bodies and national teams understand that being friendly to other countries creates a better environment and a more enjoyable sporting event. It also encourages other nations to want to play against them.
Many nations’ Politicians see their national team as an opportunity to drum up nationalistic fervour. For many years Germans were very reserved when it came to supporting their national teams as they had witnessed first hand the dangerous effects of creating an environment where such Nationalistic pride became a focus. Their fans are to be credited for their caution, and the way in which they support their teams today.
Sport has the ability to see Nations bond and help each other. As witnessed at the Women’s Hockey World Cup in London last year. Ireland had not booked their hotel beyond a certain point in the tournament. Never in their wildest dreams did they anticipate going all the way to the final. Belgium moved out of their hotel and let them have their rooms, and an agreement was made in regards to payment at a later date.
There is no denying that the current world is a fractured place. There’s conflict between many countries in pockets all over the globe. There is also sadly conflict within many countries across the world, as people are placed into “silos” or pigeon-holes based on where they come from, their religious beliefs or the colour of their skin. Why is this conflict there when for centuries people who appear to have little in common have come together on neighbourhood pitches and in packed stadiums, to play together or support a team together, and those differences have been forgotten?
Sport has the ability to tackle homophobia. Look at the publicity that England’s Cricket Captain Joe Root gained for this cause when he brilliantly rebutted a sledge from West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel. Root responded with “Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.” Those words did more to accept homosexuality than any speech by a politician. They were succinct but they were affective and garnered him respect and embarrassed the man who uttered the sledge.
Sport has the ability to tackle racism head on. As playing together and supporting together shows that no matter your background, your politics, religion or skin colour, sport can see us all share something in common. Talking about a game just played be it as a fan, or a player encourages communication between people, and friendships form between people who are clearly different, but share a common interest.
Nelson Mandela realised that sport was the perfect vehicle to unite South Africa as it moved out of the apartheid era. Here was a Politician using sport for the common good of his country and his people.
In the 1970’s there was a similar event that was dubbed China’s “ping-pong diplomacy.” The Chinese government invited the USA table tennis players to play exhibition matches in their country in April 1971. This was a milestone event, as it was the first time Americans had been allowed to enter the country since 1949. This event broke ground and enabled President Nixon to made an historic trip to China, which ended 25 years without communication or diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Sport has the ability to unite people and nations.
What has the potential to undermine this integration and unification are politically motivated events linked to sport to tick a box. Across a myriad of sports we are seeing one week’s fixtures being named “Cultural diversity round” or “Indigenous round.” What does this really achieve? Is it simply tokenism? What do the various sports do to back up such promotions, and how long do they continue that focus once the games have finished? Is it created purely to satisfy an edict from Government that is backed up with some dollars to support the initiative?
Many from these groups do indeed find it insulting, as there is little or no attempt made to truly promote that section of the community, or create a better understanding of it. Some teams are given pamphlets but how many read them? Some are visited by someone from that section of the community and listen to a presentation, but how many walk away genuinely more aware of those around them, with a better understanding of that person or that section of the community?
Sport does not needs this interference. Sport in the main brings out the best in people. This education needs to be done in schools and at home.
At the last Winter Olympic Games in 2018 the North and South Koreans marched together behind a “unified Korea” flag at the opening and closing ceremonies; some may say they had no choice, but once again it was sport breaking down barriers politicians couldn’t. These athletes had trained together at a North Korean ski facility in the lead-up to the Games, and were supported by fans from both countries. Several years before, at the East Asia Cup Football competition when these two nations played each other, at the end of the match their spontaneously held hands and went to every corner of the stadium and bowed. No politician could have organised that, or if they had seen it carried out in such a genuine sign of unity.
Sport does not need matches to be labelled to bring people together. It has been doing that for centuries. Having fixtures in each round given a label for some political agenda flies in the face of the essence of sport. It is unnecessary, and its proliferation is undermining the unity that sport already brings.
Where else, except possibly the arts do people of all religions, skin tone and nations come together as one to share in that one experience? Let sport continue to weave its tapestry of unity. It is time to stop trying to label each game and link it to a cause. After all labelling, and trying to pigeon=hole people has caused much of the unrest in the world. It is time to simply play, enjoy, unite in a shared passion, and celebrate as team-mates, fans and lovers of sport, irrespective of anything else.
