The Globalization Of Sport

As far as physical education and the development of the human body dates back, sport has been an indispensable part of the society. In the past, people performed in exercise or participated in sport to be in shape or to have a healthier lifestyle, but nowadays, sport plays a new role in many people’s lives. People do not just “play” sport, they also “watch” it. More recently, sport has become an entertainment industry, a source of people’s income and a possession of power. This is a result of globalization. Regardless, this poses a question contending how can remote and developing countries such as Cameroon, Paraguay, Uruguay, Ghana be mentioned without the World Cup or the Olympics? Marshal McLuhan has said that the existence of televisions

For that reason, the sport industry continues to be a profitable industry. According to BBC, Premier League is deemed as one of the “most watched” leagues on the planet with a record 5.14 billion pounds TV rights deal, 71% above the last time for three years from 2016 to 2019. Moreover, in Vietnam, K+ has paid roughly a whopping of $46 million, about 20% more than the previous period (Thanhniennews). This shows us how prosperous it can be if we invest in the sport industry through other nations. Founded by 1936 by late grandmaster Nguyen Loc, Vovinam, the Vietnamese martial art is practiced by millions in nearly 70 countries and territories (CNN) with even the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Truedeau being impressed by the artform

Some people use sport to gain power as well. For example, Lionel Messi is one of the best soccer players in the world and being ranked as one of 100 most influential people in 2012 (Time). Messi’s image is also seen in sporting figures like David Beckham and Roger Federer who also use their public status for the common good. George Weah, the 1995 Ballon d’Or is now became the 25th President of Liberia in 2018. He uses his reputation and his admiration from the people of Liberia to entice people into voting for him in the election (Guardian). Although it is a great idea to have power by sport, it can also be a ‘double-blade knife’. Van Quyen, one of the best soccer players in Vietnam was rich and famous but ended up compromising, gambling and match-fixing scandals (vnexpress). Recently, after the success of U23 Vietnam in the AFC Cup, Bui Tien Dung was so popular that he was accused of the “advertising receipt” (zingnews). He has a listed prices for every advertisement that he takes part in such as TV commercial, newspaper, Internet,