Sport, what's it for?
I can see why people find playing a sport attractive; it’s fun and the component of trying to beat an opponent gives it an extra edge, particularly for competitive types. There was a time when it was quite common for a firm to have a works football team, playing in a league consisting of other works teams. Apart from the personal challenge there was also the pride of your place of work to uphold. Other -non participating- employees could also take a legitimate interest in these matches and share in the glory or disappointment of the outcome. There were also inter village cricket matches with a similar reason for taking place. This all seems reasonable and it isn’t difficult to find purpose in it.What I don’t understand is how sport became professional. Paying people to play a game seems quite odd to me. Being a completely non productive activity it more properly belongs to the category of hobby or pastime than profession. Regardless of how expertly someone can manipulate a ball with his foot, is it logical that the financial reward for showing that off is often far grater than that received for being a highly skilled tradesman, who actually produces something useful?
It could be said that there is entertainment value in sport, but why? It only becomes interesting if you have an interest in the outcome but why on Earth does anybody care about the outcome? It’s not like any of us has a real connection to the people we are cheering on and willing to win. It just doesn’t make any sense, the only good reason for sport is for its own sake, the involvement of money makes it completely senseless.
The World Cup should be abandoned immediately and I should get the £2 I invested in the works sweep stake back. And I’m not just saying that because I drew Senegal.
Comments (35)
You could have got England
I must say, I do try to watch as many of the games as I can. I've just watched my chosen team, Iceland (close neighbours and rhymes with Ireland ) take on the might of Argentina and Messi and come out with a draw....woohoo!
As for your initial question - anything people want to watch allows the participants to get paid for it.
Ever watch council workers stand around looking into a hole ?
You're watching, they get paid,
but as I grew, I out grew my interest in sport.
Today I've no interest in sport the way some have but the one thing I will say about it and what its good for is keeping young ones out of trouble... If they have an interest in it, join a team which they will become passionate about... beats being idle don't you think.
Unfortunately, I am a fanatic of US major league baseball.
And you're right, the players don't know that I exist as there is no connection.
When I need them rooting me on for something in my personal life...where are they?
I just enjoy watching a good game. If it's not good, I lose interest and do something else.
But there are very few games, I'd say none really, that would stop me doing something else.
I prefer to be doing things than watching things.
Last night I was sitting at a pavement cafe while dozens of people around got seriously excited about Portugal and Spain playing to a 3 all draw and they were not at all bored. Some people do seem to like it. There is profit in enthusiasm.
So in fact I agree with Harb, I'll play sport, I'll watch those I love play it, but try to get money out of me to watch it? aye that'll be right
otherwise every man could be wanting me
You're pretty sure to score then
I don't understand how people can watch golf though. It's nice to play it, walk around the course belting the ball, but exceptionally dull to watch. Like cricket.
And I agree with Maiana
The only sport i watch is Tennis and at that only Wimbledon....
I used to play Badminton when i was younger....i might take it up again...