The era of globalization has created a global market for sports. Sports are not only sources of enjoyment, but also a symbol of power, prestige, and distinction. Sports have become a global phenomenon, with transnational corporations competing for your attention and dollars. During the Cold War, many major sports nations had state-sponsored sports programs.
Some sports still retain an aesthetic element, but the focus is on quantitative achievement. The shift from Renaissance to modern sports is apparent in the use of the term “measure.” Whereas the word measure once connoted proportion and balance, it now refers to purely numerical measurements. Despite the differences between old-world sports and modern-day ones, both emphasize physical exercise and competition.
Apart from physical health and fitness, sports also teach valuable life skills. They help students develop good sportsmanship, teamwork skills, and leadership abilities. They also develop social skills, as they learn to relate with different people. They can also acquire decision-making skills. And, they can even learn to share the field with other students and adults.
Sports can also play a role in national identity. It helps people identify themselves with their country and its culture. This is because sports can use nostalgia, invented traditions, flags, anthems, and ceremonies to define national identities. They can also provide a window into other cultures.