Whether it’s in the slums of India or the roaring stands of Old Trafford, sport is a universal love for millions of people. But what makes it so appealing to people all over the globe.
It’s part of a community
At its heart, sport offers a wonderful way to bond with other people who carry that selfsame passion. You can have two people who are essentially opposites in everything from looks to their political views, but once they’re sat in the terraces cheering their team on, they’re suddenly best mates. Being part of a supporter’s group is to be part of an army: to honor your team with college sheets and bedding, and to wear the team’s colours proudly.
It offers an emotional rollercoaster
Being a loyal fan of any team involves being put through the ringer sometimes, with even the most successful teams will suffer disappointments big enough to give their ardent supporters headaches for a week afterwards. (As reputable a sports figure as Sir Alex Ferguson is, even he’s admitted that he’s fuelled not by his victories, but by his worst experiences.) It’s not hard to see why such a rollercoaster would appeal to someone who has to work a job that they’re bored of for forty hours a week. Sport offers a bit of excitement, and an adrenaline rush like nothing else in the world. It is, in a sense, a great representation of life itself.
It’s inspiring
Some of the most inspiring figures in the world are sportsmen and women. Iconic images of childhood heroes achieving greatness can make a big difference in the lives of those watching. Ask any young professional athlete why they got into their sport, and you can be sure that at least one reason will be a name: the name of an idol who wants transfixed a young kid sat in front of their TV or in the stands, and made them determined to follow in the same footsteps.
It’s great fun
All serious points aside, it’s worth remembering that above all, sport gives those either playing or watching the chance to have a great time. Whether it’s the Ashes, the Superbowl or the FA Cup final, a classic sporting event will provide a better atmosphere than any night out, and a memory that will last far longer than that of some house-party. (Of course, the team could lose, in which case the memory might remain, but the party atmosphere might not!).
It offers something to look up to
Today’s world offers precious little in terms of positive role models. In politics, music and showbiz, attention is heaped on those who are famous for the sake of it, rather than because of what they achieved. The ability to work hard and be determined will help almost anyone lead a better life, and few people demonstrate this in quite the same way as the world’s greatest sporting icons. Every legendary figure from Mohammad Ali to Michael Jordan got to the top of the world with a combination of steely-eyed determination and sweat equity. By doing so, they can inspire almost anyone to lead a better life.