Some people say that sports are very important for a nation’s development, while others believe that sports are no more than a leisure time activity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
A number of individuals reckon that sports are inevitable for a country’s progress whereas many people ponder that sporting activities are just meant for amusement in spare time. This essay will discuss both the above given views and will arrive at a meaningful conclusion at the end.
On the one hand, sports are considered to be significant for the betterment of a country as they represent the nation at an international platform. Many small countries which otherwise would never have gotten noticed came into limelight internationally just because of their outstanding sportspersons. For instance, Jamaica is a tiny island which is ranked 122 in terms of GDP, finished third in the athletics medals table at the London 2012 Olympics, behind only The US and Russia due to the phenomenal performance of Usain Bolt. Moreover, apart from religion, sports is the only common thread that binds people together and helps in developing a feeling of patriotism. It enables nations to make social interactions within diverse groups who would otherwise never interact. Not only it helps to generate revenue when a country hosts international sports events like IPL (Indian Premier League), it helps in elevating qualities like discipline, determination, teamwork and a passion for fitness in the psyche of a nation.
On the other hand, others have a view that sports are just meant for amusement to spend leisure time in a qualitative way. Most people play sports to become involved in some sort of physical activity as nowadays mostly everyone leads a sedentary lifestyle. Watching or playing sports provides people a timely relief from the worldly worries and they let themselves loose into these refreshing physical activities. Also they get a chance to release their pent up energy as most of the individuals are involved in sitting jobs.
To sum up, I staunchly believe that sport can help a nation develop by making its citizens healthier and more productive, while also raising a nation’s international profile. Although, most sport is done for leisure, it seems that even this has some clear benefits, so it would seem that sport is more than just a leisure activity and can lead to greater things.
