Major Overseas Sports are those that have significant followings in several countries and regions. In the United States, these would include baseball (and its variants), basketball, football (American), and ice hockey. In other parts of the world, soccer (football), cricket and rugby can be considered major sports. The definition of a major sport can change over time, as viewership patterns shift.
During the age of colonialism, explorers and imperial rulers were often astonished at the athletic prowess of indigenous peoples of various continents. Nandi runners in Kenya’s Rift Valley appeared to cover distances effortlessly, while the Tutsi high jumpers of Rwanda and Burundi flew into the air with the grace of birds.
The post-World War II era, in the wake of decolonization and the Cold War, saw a major shift. The “international” aspect of sports, which had largely been concentrated in Europe and a few non-European areas, was replaced by a more global East-West and North-South aspect and the provincialization of European sport as one of many continents.
Sports can provide a unique opportunity to bring nations together in the spirit of friendship and goodwill. However, they can also serve as a platform for political and ideological battles. For example, some governing bodies of major sporting events have been accused of taking sides on issues like race and ethnicity, religion, and the treatment of gays and migrants. Learn more by visiting 해외스포츠중계.
If these battles become permanent features of international sporting competitions, the whole point of such events will be lost. Hosting such events is not cheap. Before a country can even get a bid approved, it must invest millions in evaluations and preparations. Then, the hosting country must enhance its sports facilities and build a stadium big enough to accommodate the expected crowds. All of this comes at a cost to host countries, which are often left with considerable debt after the event is over. It is for this reason that the governing bodies of many sporting events have a policy of not awarding hosting rights to states or cities with questionable human rights records.