TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: Sports and sociology are intertwined with economic, social, cultural and several other ramifications which benefit the individual and affect the community at large as was demonstrated during the hosting of World Cup football in South Africa last year, remarked V M Prabhudesai, SAG’s executive director at the inaugural of the workshop on ‘Sociology of Sport’ organised by Don Bosco College in association with Porto University here, Sunday.
Prabhudesai hailed Don Bosco College for tackling the subject, since very often the parents as well as administrators are in a fix on how to effectively respond to the needs and demands of the children who look to sports as a career option.
“Look at the fallout of cricket in India. Remember how the country went crazy when we won the World Cup in 1983 and then in 2011. Above all, its hallmark was the unifying factor. And, now look at the dejection as India have been thrashed in Australia. Sports generally throws heroes and heroines with top stars gaining iconic status and with that also comes big money. With hosting of big events, it is the country that gets to benefit with cities getting a total facelift. Infrastructure and facilities get the attention it deserves, the standard is raised to world levels and even it generates employment opportunities,” remarked Prabhudesai.
The SAG honcho, dwelling on the massacre in Egypt where 74 precious lives were lost recently after a football match, felt that it was a serious issue to be debated by the society at large and the Egyptian authorities in particular. Even the FIFA has shown grave concerns over the sad happenings.
The withdrawal of Sahara sponsorship from the cricket scene has disappointed cricketers. In 2001 cricket was not so rich, but the game had become almost a religion because of the society. From then to now, during all this time, Indian cricket has achieved very great heights and glory and the game has become richer. Look now, almost everyone wants to join the bandwagon for cricket because of its status vis-à-vis the society. The biggest beneficiaries have been the players, and so it will be in the future, remarked Prabhudesai.
“Football, chess, swimming, taekwondo, boxing, cricket and few other sports are making a big splash in Goa, with the players getting huge recognition both from the government as well as the corporate sector, providing big monetary benefits and incentives. More and more parents are encouraging their children to join sports today. The scene is changing pretty fast, with the media, both print as well as electronic, playing a big role providing sports a definite boost, devoting lots of space and slots for sports events and personalities which in turn translates into more and more sponsors joining the sports scene in a very big way. This has had a great impact on the society. Hence, we need to ponder over the role of society on sports and sports role on the society,” stated Prabhudesai.
“Don Bosco College and the Salesians have displayed vision in broaching the subject for the benefit of Goa and Goans. There is an expert in the form of Dr Ana Luisa Pereira from Porto University to share the knowledge and experience in this field. It is a learning process. As sport continues to grow, both in terms of public and commercial interest, it is vital that academic study keeps pace with new developments” opined Prabhudesai. “The SAG has done its bid, although in a small way,” pointed out Prabhudesai.
“Let’s not stop with just the workshops. There must be continuity. What’s more important is to chalk the next course of action for greater socialisation of sports in Goa,” pleaded Prabhudesai who added that such interactions on regular basis were the need of the hour and cited the example of Ravindra Bhavans in Goa where the tiatrists were getting together on regular basis so as to find better ways and means to achieve higher objectives.
“Societal impact of sports is of great concern. What is vital is the colour of jersey and not the colour of the skin. Sport has become a primary strategy for engaging the energies of the youth, even while skills-acquisition programmes are set up to ensure that they become useful to themselves and society. Victory in sports can only be guaranteed by victory in society,” summed Prabhudesai.
