Attitude Towards Sports Essay

Upon evaluating Humphreys’ attitude towards sport I am inclined to deem it both cynical and unmerited. Indeed sport does prompt both controversy and hype. However, sport’s unparalleled ability to serve as a unifier brings me to dispute Humphreys’ adverse assertions.

Sport is among the most beneficial influences on humankind. While sport may illuminate some of man’s less admirable traits, it concurrently brings out man’s commendable qualities and it is these praiseworthy qualities that should be noted rather than man’s innate imperfections. Irrevocably, sport promotes competitiveness and aggression but so too does it inspire pride, hope, love, passion and community. These positive virtues are expressed by the masses as a unified group, excited and enthused. And in exuding these virtues as a united front they are imparted onto others, penetrating the monotony and strife that inhibits the world. King David Linksfield was witness to this in 2011 upon the first team rugby boys winning the rugby finals. While the victory was exhilarating, it was the love, brotherhood, pride and joy generated by this triumph that reverberated through the school for days to follow. It was the win that unified the school and was testimony to sport’s capacity to bring out the best in people.

We can never forget the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989, nor may we be oblivious to the countless incidents where fans have resorted to aggression. However, Humphreys’ definitive statement asserting that sport facilitates a decline into gang culture is perhaps too conclusive and the use of the word gang is a cunning intent to position sport negatively. Gang culture is characterised by intimidation and intentional violence with the aim to destruct. How...

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...ns of different economic statures united, but players, whether on the same team or opposing teams, are united as equals, adhering to the same regulations and susceptible to the same wins and losses irrespective of their financial status.

Finally, sport cannot be condemned as being anti-family for if managed correctly the love of sport, whether playing or spectating, can bring families together. If it is the idea of a spouse or parent being a professional sportsman that disgruntles Humphreys it should be noted that being a sportsman is a job and while the hours and travelling may be strenuous there are several other occupations that require the same commitments.

It can therefore be deduced that sport, with all its glory and its unparalleled unification aptitude, is among the most positive influences on mankind, opposing the cynical allegations made by Humphreys.