Picture source: google.com
Hello, guys!
As Micky recently announced, he wants to hear from us, Bitlanders users, regarding the topic Sports and Social Good. So, I decided to try my writing skills and share my thoughts with you on this particular theme. I must agree with Micky - it covers plenty of stuff.
In the beginning, I will mention my relation to sports. I used to enjoy different sports in my younger years and I was very good. A few gold medals belong to me due to my achievements, but many years passed since that period.
Drawing by me with OpenOffice & Inkscape
I practiced several sports: athletics, basketball, table tennis, tennis, jogging, and cycling. Although I was never too committed to any of them, sports gave me the stress relief I needed. My favorite sport is basketball, but I did not play since university, where I was part of the women's team. There is a playing ground next to my home, and I always promise myself I will buy a ball to go there and work out, but I never did that. Maybe writing this blog and reading what other fellows here wrote will inspire me to take action (who knows?).
Basketball hoop in a school playing ground (Picture by me)
What should be classified as "sport"?
The Oxford Dictionary gives the following explanation for this word:
an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against
another or others for entertainment.
But, the main question I want to discuss is the connection between sports and social good. In what aspects sports are beneficial to us? The way I see it, several points are included:
1. Sports help for better health and illness prevention.
Many authors and studies mention and acknowledge this precedence as a proven fact. The more active we are, the more hormones of happiness are produced, and our overall health increases; our immune system becomes stronger. Not to mention that regular practice can prolong your lifetime.
Image source: google.com
2. Sports build a closer connection between people.
Most sports are played in teams or two individuals playing against each other. This way, teamwork can be improved and competition between the players helps for creating a strong ambition. That ambition can then be transferred to your life outside sports activities. You see, sports are a way to develop and improve your hidden (sleeping) qualities.
Picture source: pixabay.com
3. Sports are good for your mood.
Being active can make you get out of depression, sadness, and many other destructive conditions. The reason for that is that when you practice sports you do not have time to give yourself to negative feelings. You are too involved in playing and winning a game as a result.
Drawing by me with OpenOffice & Inkscape
4. Sports develop your skills.
Yes, I mean skills as moving quicker, thinking quicker, better coordination of the body and its parts. It boosts you with positive energy, enlarges different muscles depending on the sport you practice, of course.
I am not going to dive deeper into the scientific explanation of how sports impact us, but I want to share this video instead. It explains and gives a bright idea of the various sports benefits.
Video source: youtube.com
Of course, these are just parts of the benefits, the list can continue, but for the purposes of this blog, I end it here. Here comes another question: If sports have so many benefits, why does not everybody practice them on a regular basis? One reason is that if you did not practice any sports for a long time, it will be difficult for your body to get used to the training again. Sport is not easy. It takes discipline, commitment and someone who enjoys taking care of his body. Once you get into the habit it becomes easier and easier. Another possible excuse is the lack of time. We are so consumed in our busy schedules that we literally do not find a free second to spend for such activities. Of course, that is just an excuse. A person who takes sports as a priority will always find an hour or two for his favorite game. But I must admit, I am one of those people who claim they do not have time for that. I am too absorbed in my career these days.
Empty playing ground (Picture by me)
Currently, many social programs and non-profit organizations exist, which “promote” their values through different sports. Why is that? Well, the way I see it, sport is a social game. And as such, it proves to be the perfect way to change and influence people, to pass a message by a certain organized game.
In my country (Bulgaria), a popular sports event is playing sports for a charity cause. Sometimes popular Bulgarian celebrities, who support a certain cause, take participation. Money collected from the ticket sales then are used for the charity initiative. I have seen many similar events – the sport can be volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, carting, football and many others. It is so useful because people are more willing to play hard and give more for the game when they play for a cause they support. If you play only for yourself, you will not have the same high motivation because you can forgive yourself if you lose. But playing for someone else will encourage you to fight with your last breath and power you have available.
Another popular sports initiative is providing training in the park, such as running, exercising, special sports training etc. They are specially created to be completely free of charge and focus on the health of the society and socializing through participation in the exercises.
Picture source: pixabay.com
What these organizations have in common is that everybody wins. Everyone who participates takes his share of health and fun during the training. And for the best, they always offer a reward, to keep players motivated.
I am sharing with you a few associations which regularly make events in my region and have thousands of followers:
A charity organization called Holiday Heroes. Their reach is people who are indigent, and they conduct different sports contests for the purpose of collecting funds. One of their events includes charity during the weeks of national celebrations so that everyone can be equal and integrated.
BiS (Charity and Sport) organize exercise training and different charity options available for anybody who wants to join. They practice outdoor sports activities in the warm seasons of the year.
Picture source: facebook.com
5kmrun is a sports organization, which focuses on running for health. Events occur every Saturday morning and everyone is invited. The fastest runner takes the distance for 18-19 minutes (a great achievement).
Video source: youtube.com
Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I hope you found it useful and wish you a wonderful day!
