Vol.1/2008/32

Influence of Sports Participation on Social Aspects of India

By

S Muniraju¹ and Dr. Sundar Raj Urs²

Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: muniraj7575@gmail.com

and

Reader, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: sundarrajurs@yahoo.co.in

Abstract:

'Sports is more than a fashion, it is a new reality. Today sports have gained considerable, social, economical and political importance'

It is not important to make an individual just a literate, but he should be made more human, social and resourceful through proper education. Experiences gained through participation in sports like sympathy, co-operation, responsibility, abiding to rules & regulation help in gaining social values such as tolerance, acceptance, team spirit, sportsmanship etc. Participation in sports activities removes the inferiority complex in an individual and makes him move with the main stream of society. Through this type of involvement the social evils like 'untouchability, discrimination of caste, creed, color, race & religion will be overlooked.

The present study is an attempt to know the influence of sports participation on the social aspects. For the study, the author selected Social Aspects as one of the variable for which a sample of 500 from different sports disciplines were considered. The study was descriptive in nature and the samples were randomly selected, with age group being below 20years to above 40 years

The results of the study showed high degree of influence on social aspects viz, social values, social equality, integrity, tolerance, acceptance, habits & attitudes etc when it was statistically analyzed using percentile technique.

Influence of Sports Participation on Social Aspects of India

By

S Muniraju¹ and Dr. Sundar Raj Urs²

Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: muniraj7575@gmail.com

and

Reader, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: sundarrajurs@yahoo.co.in

"Sports is a reflection of society and in many respects, Society is a reflection of sports"

Introduction:

Sports and games not only help achieve excellence but also attain higher social values and economic stability. Nowadays sports has become a way of life in many European countries and many of social, economical, cultural and racial differences are balanced through sports participation.

Experiences gained through participation in sports like sympathy, cooperation, responsibility, abiding to rules and regulations help in gaining social values for a democratic life in society. Participation in sports activities removes the inferiority complex in an individual and makes him move with the main stream of society. Through this type of involvement the social evils like 'untouchability, discrimination of caste, creed, colour, race & religion will be overlooked'.

The purpose of the study is to know the impact of sports participation on the Indian society.

Overall, a sport is more than a fashion, and it is new reality. Today, sports have gained considerable, social, economical, cultural and political importance.

Sports and Society:

Sport transcends all boundaries. Values such as tolerance, team spirit and strength of character are subconsciously demonstrated and practiced by people who play sports. Sports grounds are meeting places where social contacts are established and reinforced.

Sports as a Social Institution:

Sport has emerged in the last half of the twentieth century to become one of the most pervasive social institutions in contemporary societies. In recent years the social scientific study of sport has shed new light on this fascinating area of social life.

Statement of the Problem:

The purpose of the study is to analyze the influence of participating in sports and games over the decade in society as a whole and individual in particular. . The study further reveals the changes/transformation happened in the Indian society through sports participation and also the contribution of social aspects in bringing about social transformation in Indian society.

Concepts Defined:

Sports:

1. "Sports is a reflection of society & in many respects, Society is a reflection of sports" According to Hopman P

Reforms:

1. "A change for the better as a result of correcting abuses"

2. "A campaign aimed to correct abuses or malpractice"

Social Reform:

1. "Make changes for improvement in order to remove abuses and injustice prevailing in the society"

2. "Make changes for improvement in the social order of life and eradicating social evils through sports education"

Objectives of the Study:

• Eradication of social evils of the society.

· To understand the importance of 'Social values' in democratic society.

· To eradicate social inequality' through free and fair participation in sports.

· To observe the social changes through sports in the past few years.

Limitations of the Study:

The study is limited to social changes, which have taken place in the field of sports in the past few years through sports participation.

Delimitations of the Study:

Ø The study is delimited to the literature available through primary and secondary data including, documentations, papers, journals, and media i.e., print & visual.

Ø The study is delimited to the data obtained from the respondents through questionnaire

Ø The study is also delimited to Sportsmen, Coaches, Physical directors, Administrators and Academicians

Hypothesis of the Study: It is hypothesized that:

1. 'Sports' is one of the major avenues in India, where the people irrespective of caste, creed colour race and religion etc will come together as either, spectators or participants.

2. 'Social Equality' can be brought into one's life through participation in sports.

3. 'Sports' has influenced in bringing social, economical, and political changes in Indian society.

4. Sports & Games contribute to the life of an individual and the society of which he is a member

Methodology:

Information regarding sports participation and its contribution towards social transformation in the Indian society in the last few decades was studied in detail. In this section, the research design, selection of variables, selection of samples, construction of questionnaire, administration of the questionnaire, collection of data and statistical procedure adopted for the analysis of data have been depicted

Research Design:

The researcher, after careful and critical study of the available literature and discussions with the experts in the area of sports and physical education, decided to use a descriptive/survey method for the study

Selection of Samples:

Samples were chosen from different communities belonging to various sports disciplines in consultation with the experts in the field. The samples selected for the study were as below;

1. Sportsmen (Men & Women) of International, National, State, University repute etc

2. Coaches from various sports disciplines of International, National, State, University repute etc

3. Physical Directors of various colleges

4. Administrators and managers of various sports organizations & associations

5. Academicians of various sports and other institutes

6. Student community

Distribution of Samples:

It may be observed from the below table that, 925 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents out of which 570 filled in responses were received but only 500 samples were considered for the study

Table: Sample Distribution

S.N	Questionnaire Distributed to	No. of Questionnaire Distributed	No. of filled in Responses received	No of samples considered for the study
1	Sportsman	200	110	100
2	Coaches	80	58	50
3	Physical Directors	95	55	50
4	Academicians	110	52	50
5	Administrators	90	60	50
6	Students	350	235	200
TOTAL		925	570	500

Table: Age Wise Distribution of Samples

S.N	Age-Wise Distribution of Respondents	N	P
1	Below 20years	176	35.20
2	21 to 25years	95	19.00
3	26 to 30 years	46	09.20
4	30 to 35 years	50	10.00
5	35 to 40 years	36	07.20
6	40 and above	97	19.40
	Total	500	100.00

S.N = Serial Number, N = No of Respondents, P = Percentage

Age group to which the respondents belong has clearly been shown in the table 4.1.2. It is clear from the table that most of the respondents are in the age group of below 20 years representing 35.20%. Nearly 95 respondents(19.00%) belong to 21-25years age group, a few respondents (46) are in the age group of 26-30years representing 9.20%, while 50 respondents are between the age group of 30-35years representing 10.00%, just 36 respondents belong to 35-40 years category with 7.20% and 97 respondents fall under 40 and above age group scoring 19.40% Thus, a majority of the respondents covered for the study belong to the age group below 20years (35.20%), 21-25years (19.00%), and 40 and above (19.40%) representing an overall percentage of 73.6%

Selection of Variables:

For the purpose of the study survey method was employed and the variables used for the study have been listed below;

1. General Factors 2. Physiological, Psychological & Socio-Psychological Factors

Each variable comprised of a required number of questions with options for the respondents to answer. Based on which the tabulation and analysis were done using the percentile technique followed by interpretation of the data.

The Social section contains 06 Questions (1-5). All the questions except Q.2 and Q.5 are Y/N type with sub questions. Q.N.1a.contains 7 statements, Q.N.2. contains 8 statements, Q.N.3a. contains 5 statements, Q.N.4a. contains 6 statements, Q.N.5. contains 4 statements. The sub questions have varied no of answers. Against each statement 3 point scale has been given. The respondents have marked (Ö) against the option they agree most to give their reply on a 3 point scale.

51.20% of the respondents accepted that, Sports & Games contributed to the life of an individual and the society of which he is a member by safeguarding health & well being.

57.80% of the respondents accepted that, sports help to overcome social and cultural changes of our society by removing social barriers such as Race, Religion, Caste, Creed etc.

60.20% accepted that, sports help to overcome social and cultural changes of our society by providing greatest opportunity for youths to exhibit their talents.

Construction of the Questionnaire:

To obtain data pertaining to the study, a questionnaire was constructed. The questionnaire consisted of 26 questions pertaining to the study to obtain relevant information. For the construction of questionnaire, standardized procedure was adopted by using following steps:

Ø Initial Framing of the Questionnaire

Ø Trial Run

Ø Tabulation of the Questionnaire

Ø Re-writing of the Questionnaire

Flow Chart of the Questionnaires Administered

Data Analysis and Interpretation:

The data was analyzed using percentile technique in order to ascertain

Table 1:

S.N	Has sports & Games contributed to the life of an individual and the society of which he is a member?	T	P
	Yes	497	99.40
	No	3	0.60
	No response	0	0.00
	Total	500	100.00

S.N = Serial Number, N = No of Respondents, P = Percentage

1

It may be observed from the above table that, 99.40% of the respondents answered 'YES' whereas 0.60% of the respondents replied 'NO'

Table 1a:

S.N	If yes, in what way has it contributed for the cause?	NA	PA	FA	T/P
(i)	By providing/fetching job	80 (16.00)	229 (45.80)	188 (37.60)	497 (99.40)
(ii)	By safeguarding health and well being	19 (3.80)	192 (38.40)	286 (57.20)	497 (99.40)
(iii)	Through Social recognition/facilitation	38 (7.60)	232 (46.40)	227 (45.40)	497 (99.40)
(iv)	By providing recreation	22 (4.40)	217 (43.40)	258 (51.60)	497 (99.40)
(v)	By providing food & shelter	46 (9.20)	234 (46.80)	217 (43.40)	497 (99.40)
(vi)	By providing, worthy use of leisure hours	37 (7.40)	210 (42.00)	250 (50.00)	497 (99.40)
(vii)	Any Other Pls. Specify ____________

Note: The figures in the parenthesis represent percentage .

S.N = Serial Number, NA = Not Accepted, PA = Partially Accepted, FA = Fully Accepted, T = Total, P = Percentage

1a

Significant differences are observed from the respondents who answered 'YES' for the Table 1. It may be observed from Table 1a that, 51.20% of the respondents fully accepted that sports & games contributes to the society of which he is a member by safeguarding health & well being.

Table 2:

S.N	Do you agree that sports help to overcome social and cultural changes of our society?	T	P
	Yes	497	99.40
	No	3	0.60
	No response	0	0.00
	Total	500	100.00

S.N = Serial Number, N = No of Respondents, P = Percentage

2

It may be observed from Table 2 that, 99.40% of the respondents answered 'YES' whereas 0.60% of them replied 'NO'

Table 2a:

S.N	If Yes, How and to what extent?	NA	PA	FA	T/P
(i)	By removing social barriers such as Race, Religion, Caste, Creed etc	6 (1.20)	204 (40.80)	287 (57.40)	497 (99.40)
(ii)	It acts as a unifying agency through which some extent counteracts the divisive force of Class, Religion, Race etc	22 (4.40)	238 (47.60)	237 (47.40)	497 (99.40)
(iii)	It represents a social enclave where people can behave in a more emotional manner	24 (4.80)	261 (52.20)	212 (42.40)	497 (99.40)
(iv)	It helps to throw light on to the process of development at wider societal level.	24 (4.80)	251 (50.20)	222 (44.40)	497 (99.40)
(v)	By providing a platform to exhibit the cultural heritages of society	49 (9.80)	191 (38.20)	257 (51.40)	497 (99.40)
(vi)	By providing greatest opportunity for youths to exhibit their talents	21 (4.20)	175 (35.00)	301 (60.20)	497 (99.40)
(vii)	It represents an human activity resting on social, educational and cultural values	30 (6.00)	230 (46.00)	237 (47.40)	497 (99.40)
(viii)	Any Other Pls. Specify _____________

Note: The figures in the parenthesis represent percentage .

S.N = Serial Number, NA = Not Accepted, PA = Partially Accepted, FA = Fully Accepted, T = Total, P = Percentage

2a

Significant associations are drawn from Tables 2 and Table 2a. 57.80% of the respondents accepted fully that sports help to overcome social & cultural changes of our society by removing social barriers such as Race, Religion, Caste, Creed etc' whereas, 60.20% opined that sports help to overcome social & cultural changes of our society by providing greatest opportunity for youths to exhibit their talents.

Table 3:

S.N	Do you agree that 'sports as a social institution permeates and mirrors many levels of society and influences the following elements?	T	P
	Yes	500	100.00
	No	0	0.00
	No response	0	0.00
	Total	500	100.00

S.N = Serial Number, N = No of Respondents, P = Percentage

3

It is evident from the above Table that, all the respondents answered 'YES' for the Question, Do you agree that 'sports as a social institution permeates and mirrors many levels of society and influences the following elements?

Table 3a:

3a	If Yes, How and to what extent?	NA	PA	FA	T/P
(i)	Race relations	86 (17.20)	241 (48.20)	173 (34.60)	500 (100.00)
(ii)	Business life	94 (18.80)	224 (44.80)	182 (36.40)	500 (100.00)
(iii)	Change in the life styles	30 (6.00)	221 (44.20)	249 (49.80)	500 (100.00)
(iv)	Ethical values leading to democratic life	47 (9.40)	248 (49.60)	205 (41.00)	500 (100.00)
(v)	More attractive and glamorous	34 (6.80)	196 (39.20)	270 (54.00)	500 (100.00)
(vi)	Any Other Pls. Specify ___________

Note: The figures in the parenthesis represent percentage .

S.N = Serial Number, NA = Not Accepted, PA = Partially Accepted, FA = Fully Accepted, T = Total, P = Percentage

3a

49.80% of the respondents fully accepted that, sports contributes for 'Change in the life styles' whereas, 54.00% of the respondents accepted that, sports is 'More attractive and glamorous'.

Table 4:

4	What are the factors that strengthen the educational and social role of sports?	NA	PA	FA	T/P
(i)	Sporting activities need to have a place in the educational system of each member state	3 (0.60)	149 (29.80)	348 (69.60)	500 (100.00)
(ii)	The values that sporting activities represent (equal opportunities, fair play, solidarity etc) must be passed on by sports associations, which make a contribution to education and training of young people to democratic life and to the social life	3 (0.60)	209 (41.80)	288 (57.60)	500 (100.00)
(iii)	Sporting activities must be made an essential tool for social integration and education	10 (2.00)	190 (38.00)	300 (60.00)	500 (100.00)
(vi)	Any Other Pls. Specify __________

Note: The figures in the parenthesis represent percentage .

S.N = Serial Number, NA = Not Accepted, PA = Partially Accepted, FA = Fully Accepted, T = Total, P = Percentage

4

Significant Associations are observed from Table. 4. The table clearly states that, 69.60% of the respondents firmly believe that, 'Sporting activities need to have a place in the educational system of each member state in order to strengthen the educational & social role of sports.

Whereas, 57.60% of the respondents felt that the values that sporting activities represent (equal opportunities, fair play, solidarity etc) must be passed on by sports associations, which make a contribution to education and training of young people to democratic life and to the social life' meanwhile 60.00% of the respondents opined 'Sporting activities must be made an essential tool for social integration and education'.

Findings & Discussion:

1. It is clearly evident from the present study that 95.60% of the respondents positively accepted the statement in Table 1a that 'Sports safeguards health & well being' and the statement concurs with the opinion of the author Loy John Wed . Hence, it is clearly evident from the above statement that fourth hypothesis is accepted.

2. It is clear from the present study that 99.40% of the respondents positively accepted the statement in the table 2a that sports helps to overcome social and cultural changes of our society and the statement correlates with the opinion of the author Synder Eldon E and Spreitzor Elmer. Hence, it is clearly evident from the above statement that the third hypothesis is accepted.

3. It is observed from the present study that 98.20% of the respondents accepted the first statement in the table 2a that, Sports helps removing social barriers such as Race, Religion, Caste, Creed etc' and the statement concurs with the opinion of Ioannis Douvis, Hence, it is clearly evident from the above statement that the second hypothesis is accepted.

Summary:

Sport has emerged in the last half of the twentieth century to become one of the most pervasive social institutions in contemporary Indian society. India is facing a severe problem of social inequality due to the influence of many social evils such as caste, creed, color, race and religion which has hampered the growth of the society and the economy to a very large extent. Sport has been one medium which can overcome the prevailing inequality through mass participation. It brings the individual under one umbrella irrespective of caste, creed, color, race and religion. This concept has got a great deal to do in bringing social justice in human beings as a whole through participation in the leisure-time pursuits. The major draw back in our education system is that we do not pay much attention to the development of physical capability of the students, which has resulted in neglect of development of inborn sports qualities. As a result, most of the youths are prone to academic pressure. Right from the child-hood a child is tuned to cope up to the academics due to which talented sports personalities do not have bright future in this system of education.

Hence, the study was conducted to analyze the influence of participation in sports and games over the decade in the society as a whole and individual in particular. The study has further revealed the changes/transformation that has occurred in the Indian society through sports participation

To sum up, it is evident from the study that, though sport has been instrumental in the transition of the Indian society to a larger extent, a need to be focused into, modified and achieved in order to reach new heights and yield better results.

Conclusions:

Within the limitations of the present study and on the basis of the results and findings the following conclusions have been drawn:

1. The study shows that maximum number of respondents accepted that, 'Sports helps to overcome social and cultural changes of our society' It is very much evident that, sports has been playing a phenomenal role in eradicating social evils such as, caste, creed, colour, race and religion. It represents a social enclave where people can behave in a more emotional manner. For Instance, sports provide a platform for sportsman of different communities to, share and exhibit not only ones talents but also culture and traditions which is very encouraging. The sporting grounds in recent times have been a meeting place to exchange of ideas, cultures and traditions sportively. In addition, sport has been one of the most important medium which provides the greatest opportunity for youths to exhibit their talents at the highest level in order to reach new heights.

2. The study further reveals that, a majority of the respondents have accepted 'Sport as a social institution that permeates and mirrors many levels of society'. It is clear that sport in Indian society has been instrumental in the transformation of the Indian society to a wider extent. It has been instrumental in changing the lifestyle, behaviour, attitude etc of an individual. In spite bounded by traditions and culture people have accepted the transformation with open hands in order to prove that Indians are rich in all aspects of society. For Example; there was a huge support from all corners of the country when few religious leaders of Muslim community questioned about the sports attire wore by Sania Mirza, during sports competitions, which clearly depicts the transformation of life style, relations and ethical values in India through sports.

3. From the study it is understood that a majority of the respondents agreed ''women's participation in sports has played a major role in transforming the society at large' It is evident that women's participation in sports has not only changed their social life or lifestyle but also resulted in socio-economic stability and bringing in gender equality which helps in bringing competiveness among individuals. The superiority in sports is not limited to male, the greatest performances and achievements at International arena are also made by many women athletes of this soil. For Instance; PT Usha, the queen of Indian sports is one of the best example not just for Indian sport but also the whole of Asia. She is the first woman athlete to win a golden boot from adidas for her excellence in performance and achievements in track & field. This has made way for young budding talents to join athletic community to excel and make a mark. PT Usha, Sania Mirza, Serena Williams, Marian Jones etc have been truly the great ambassadors of sports. The impact they have on the sporting field is immense and appreciable. They have been the role models to many and people try not only to study but also to build on their foot steps. Women's participation by and large, has also resulted in bringing high competence and efficiency in profession.

4. It is also seen from the study that a majority of the respondents agreed that 'Social values are well knit in sports' It is very much evident that, sport has been a constructive phenomenon, which unites different communities to promote international understanding. Sport is truly a peace promoting agency of our time which plays a significant role in bringing societies together without any discrimination. For instance; Indo-Pak bitterness has never hampered sporting relations but has always tried to bring in harmony between them. Sport has been a true ambassador which shares and attempts to create a healthy environment between nations. In this sense it is evident that sport acts as a true messenger in bridging the gap between nations in the best possible way.

Recommendations:

In the light of the conclusion and findings of the study following recommendations have been made:

1. Any sports programme planned from school to national level should aim at removing bias & social evils of Indian society such as caste, creed, colour, race, religion & gender inequality.
2. The ethics, values & philosophy of sports should be taught from the elementary level including the bibliography of great achievers in sports
3. Sporting activities must be made an essential tool for social integration. Integration on social life, tolerance, acceptance of differences can be achieved mainly through sports where equal opportunity is given to all without discrimination of caste, creed, color, race & religion etc which will contribute for growth of sports in the country
4. Sports should promote gender equality and empower women. Government should make special efforts to give more access to women to sports in the social, economical, political context in which they live, through encouraging more and more women participation in sports.
5. More employment opportunities be created for outstanding sports personalities in various public, private and other sectors in order to attract more unemployed youths of the society to make sports as their career and to excel.

REFERENCES:

Books:

Dunning, Eric 'A Selection of Reading' in 'Sociology of Sports' Taylor & Francis group (Rout ledge), 2003

Eldon, Synder E and Elmer Spreitzor 'Social Aspects of Sports' Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA, 1989

Freeman, H William 'Physical Education and Sport in a Changing Society' New Delhi – Reprint, Surjeet Publications, 1988

John Wed Loy, 'Sports Culture and Society' Mc Milan Company, London, Page 29, 1970

Natan Alex 'Sport and Politics' in 'Sports Culture and Society' Loy John Wed, Mc Milan, Toronto, 1969

Roger C Rees and Andrew W. Miracle 'Hand book of Sports Studies 2000' Chapter 17 'Education and Sports' 2000

Papers and Website:

Bangalore Times, Times of India, Bangalore, 29.12.2007

Damania, Mehernaaz, Bangalore Times - Times of India, Bangalore, 29.12.2007

europa.eu.int/comm/sport/ sport-and/social/social_overview

Figel, Jan - European Year of Education through Sport, Brussels, 2 December 2004

Millet,Nisha,'If I had rupees 50 lakhs to spend', Times Sport,' Times of India, 6.10.2007

sports.indiapress.org/development.php

Vol.1/2008/33

5	Reaching out youth at risk	To use sport and physical activity to offer positive alternatives to anti-social behaviours such as drug use and crime; and the problems that stem from a lack of self-esteem, boredom, idleness, alienation and poverty	Increased individual and community participation, ethical and democratic practices and racial tolerance; better family interactions and peer influence; behavioural standards and goals that contribute to positive social relations and the motivation to succeed; better use of free time Individuals who are regularly active demonstrate improved academic performance and are more likely to stay in/return to school
6	Identifying talented athletes	To identify and select individuals with the potential to become high performance athletes	Excellence in sport inspires athletes to try harder, and winning of medals inspires national pride.

Conclusion

The existing situation in this country could well have resulted from the poor physical education programme that has been offered at both the high school and college level in the past emphasizing the physical rather than the academic aspects of physical education. An important decision must therefore be made with regard to what materials should be included in college courses.

Pelton in his study entitled; "A critical analysis of current practices and beliefs underlying general physical education programmes" cites six basic concepts of physical education: They are as follows:

1. The development of 'strength and endurance" as an aspect of biological fitness.

2. The achievement of a personally satisfying level of motor skills involving 'fundamentals of movement'

3. The development of an aesthetic appreciation for the role of 'sports as a cultural force' in the modern world.

4. The acquisition of knowledge concerning 'agencies and resources useful in solving personal health problems'.

5. The 'clarification of self image' and enhancement of self esteem' through involvement in physical activities.

6. The acquisition of 'facility in the combined of use physical skills and mental interpretation'

If Physical Education is to become a class-room subject, changes are needed. The 'old' traditional type of physical education must be scrapped and a 'new' physical education with more emphasis on academic approach must replace it. The content of the new physical education programme must be of college level quality and provide assurance to college students of acquiring the following:

1. Knowledge of the functional use of the body in its present status and an understanding of the problems it may encounter later in life.
2. Knowledge of the Physiological effects and benefits of exercise.
3. Knowledge and understanding of the concept of wellness (total well-being)
4. Knowledge of evaluation and maintenance of fitness for more effective living during the college years and throughout life.
5. Aware of the fundamental relationship between exercise, diet and weight control.
6. Knowledge of the causes and prevention of chronic diseases.
7. Knowledge of the relationship between physical fatigue, tension and relaxation.
8. Knowledge of sufficiently wide variety of skills and technique (games & sports) so that, recreational activities can be selected which are suited to the interests, needs and abilities of the individual students.
9. Knowledge of the prevention of sports injuries.
10. Knowledge of the influence of ergogenic aids on sports performance.

References:

1. Dwyer T, Blizzard L, Dean K. Physical activity and performance in children. Nutrition Reviews 1996;54 (4 Pt 2):S27-S31.

2. Martin LT, Chalmers GR. The relationship between academic achievement and physical fitness. Physical Educator 2007;64(4):214-221.

3. Maeda JK, Randall LM. Can academic success come from five minutes of physical activity? Brock Education 2003;13(1):14-22.

4. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee. Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Report, 2008. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2008.

5. Trost S. Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity and Academic Performance. San Diego, CA: Active Living Research; 2007.

Vol.1/2008/34

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF INDIAN SPORTS

By

S Muniraju¹ and Dr. Sundar Raj Urs²

Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: muniraj7575@gmail.com

Reader, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: sundarrajurs@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT:

Ours is a country where encouragement comes after achievement. Sports are always ranked below academics and are seen more as a hobby than a profession and thus, are not integrated with formal education. Unlike America where most of the parents make it a point to attend a basketball game or a soccer match of their children, most parents in India try to discourage children from taking sports too seriously.

If the age old "all work and no play make Jack a dull boy", is to be believed, then there are many dull boys in India. We may pride ourselves in some super successes of our overnight heroes and glorify their rags to riches stories but the fact remains that the condition of sports in India is deplorable. While there is a huge celebration for an Abhinav Bindra, Vijendra Kumar and Sushil Kumar, every now and then, the euphoria is short-lived. Criticism soon follows but everything is gradually forgotten till yet another infrequent victory seizes our attention and we start again. But on deeper introspection we'll find that numerous factors contribute to the sorry state of sports in our country.

Our sports infrastructure is begging for changes. There is no doubt that there is abundance of talent and potential, yet there are various reasons why Indians are unable to succeed in any sport other than cricket.

In a country as vast and diverse as ours, it's only the government and its vehicles that can play an effective role. The problem is that the system is so deep-rooted and well entrenched that it's the main reason for the chaos around us.

Key Words: Sports, Problem, Prospect, Remedies

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF INDIAN SPORTS

By

S Muniraju¹ and Dr. Sundar Raj Urs²

Research Scholar, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: muniraj7575@gmail.com

Reader, University College of Physical Education, Bangalore University

Email: sundarrajurs@yahoo.co.in

"Sports is a reflection of society and in many respects, Society is a reflection of sports"

Introduction:

A sport is an organized , competitive , entertaining , and skilful activity requiring commitment, strategy, and fair play , in which a winner can be defined by objective means. It is governed by a set of rules or customs . Activities such as card games and board games , are classified as " mind sports " and some are recognized as Olympic sports, requiring primarily mental skills and mental physical involvement.

Sport is popular among millions of people worldwide, irrespective of sex, race, culture, religion and social class. Therefore, it is not surprising that development organizations in conjunction with international sports associations have discovered the unifying power of sport in reaching development goals at an individual, social, cultural or economic level.

Overall, sports is more than a fashion, and it is new reality. Today, sports have gained considerable, social, economical, cultural and political importance.

Concepts Defined:

a. "Sports is a reflection of society & in many respects, Society is a reflection of sports" According to Hopman P

b. Sports is a kind of diversion, which for its direct & immediate end, fun, pleasure and delight & which is dominated by a spirit of moderation & generosity.

c. Guttman defines; Sports as, "Playful contests which include an important measure of physical skill"

Present Status of Sports in the Democratic Indian Society:

In Democracy, where equality of an individual plays an important role, social and democratic values have lost their significance in recent times and sports is the only force through which the lost glory can be regained.

Though India has produced many sports champions such as, Sachin Tendulkar, Vishwanathan Anand, P T Usha, Pankaj Advani, Anju Bobby George etc who are role models and inspiration to many young athletes of India the most saddening thing is that, even after 50 years of Indian independence we do not have a common sports law in our country. The government has failed to set up proper sports policies at both state and central level which has hampered the development of sports in India.

In spite of many short comings, It is true and evident that, there has been a transition in Indian sports in last few decades but in a slow and steady pace as compared to other countries who have revolutionized sports. Efforts are being made at all levels to overcome the differences in the sporting arena. Thanks to people like Ajay Maken, sports minister who was successful in passing a sports bill in the parliament, which is a major step in sports upliftment. A lot of importance is being given at recent times for sports development as the government has realized the real concept of sports as more and more people are actively involving in one or other sporting activity. People have realized the importance of fitness in the stressful routine which we live. They have also realized that, fitness could be achieved only through engaging oneself in a sporting activity.

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Problems of Sports in India:

There are clearly innumerable problems as far as sports in India are concerned but the major problems haunting India are as below;

1. Lack of Infrastructure

2. Lack of Training

3. Corporate Apathy

4. Government Indifference

5. Other Problems

These are, of course, just a handful of obvious reasons for India's downhill ride in international sport; there are hundreds of other, more mitigating, reasons that are not so easily apparent. The biggest problem, ironically, is hidden in the solution itself.

1. Lack of Infrastructure:

Our sports infrastructure is begging for changes. There is no doubt that there is abundance of talent and potential, yet there are various reasons why Indians are unable to succeed in any sport other than cricket. Major Infrastructure concerns faced by India are as below;

1. Lack of sports facilities

2. Failure in maintaining existing facilities

3. Failure in providing facilities at primary level

4. Failure in having decentralized organizational set up

5. Supply less than demand

6. Lack of funding from the government

2. Lack of Training:

Proper coaching and training of our sportsman has been a serious problem which has resulted in poor performance. Major problems in this area are as below:

1. Lack of professional expertise

2. Lack of advanced equipments

3. Poor food habits and improper knowledge of nutrition

4. Improper coaching schedules

5. Lack of funding towards training programmes

6. Losing athletes at transition phase

3. Corporate Apathy:

The corporate indifference also has been a serious concern which has affected the sports development. To name a few;

1. Apathy in sponsoring

2. Lack of responsibility in promoting sports

3. Inequality in providing assistance

4. Failure in creating job opportunities for meritorious sportsman

5. Commercialized outlook

4. Government Indifference:

There are many problems that has led to the decline of sports in India but the major one being the failure of government machinery. The major problems in this category are listed below;

1. Government apathy towards popular sports

2. Failure in marketing other sports

3. Improper functioning and funding

4. Failure in creating career options

5. Failure in organizational set up

6. Failure in implementing proper sports policies

7. Failures of government run organizations such as, SAI and other sports bodies.

8. Unprofessional organization and administration

5. Some other key problems affecting the growth of Indian sports:

1. Improper management of sports bodies:

Probl ems that are seen at management level can be dubbed as the root of all problems in sports today.

2. Media:

Next in the queue is the role of the media. Media, just like the sponsors is interested in news that can draw the attention of the people. This is a responsible organization considered the fourth pillar in any country. Media should take an active role in promoting other sports be played by Media.

3. Career Development:

No matter how passionate a person is about a sport, he or she is often forced to give it up for a more 'lucrative' career option. A study indicates that participation decreases as level (interschool, district, state) increases.

4. Economy :

E conomics of scale is a major talking point in the sports today. Inequality in the finances is a major threat to popular sports. Economic imbalances are a major drawback in the sport today.

5. Grass Roots:

Development of Sport at grass root level should be a focus of all sports governing bodies across India, unfortunately only the popular sports, which are country specific, manage to flourish at grass root levels. Development of grass root sports is the starting point of disciplined and structured atheism of the future.

6. Political Interference:

Politics has crept every corner of the sporting arena which has been a serious set back for its development.

7. Discipline:

D iscipline in Sports is a major problem in the past and even consists today. That's the reason why there is negligence in the case of Doping, Match fixing, biased selection procedures, violence in sports.

Conclusion:

However hopeless the situation may seem, there are still remedies that can be employed to change the scenario for the better. Better facilities, better equipment, better funds will come about with a better attitude. We need to have a holistic approach towards sports development taking into account the health, recreational, social and economic benefits. Not only it offers a chance of fostering national pride but also helps in developing a team spirit that brings together people from different communities and states of society, thus succors in building high level of tolerance and understanding. Concrete steps to improve the image of Indian sports from its abysmal status need to be undertaken.

Sports are an important segment of our country and also it is a prestige issue. Nowadays, the Cricket is famous game and this game is liked by all the persons compared with other games in India. But the government of India has not given equal importance to all kinds of sports except cricket. This is one of the main problems of Indian sports. Besides, this sports person has faced a lot of problems such as economic, political and environmental problems. As a result, the performance of sports person in India has been declining when compared with other countries. Therefore, the government should take necessary efforts to reduce the problems of sports person. By doing so, Indian sports will definitely achieve a lot in future.

REMEDIES:

1. Physical Education should be made mandatory in the curriculum which will help generate both interest and participation in sports through which healthy future citizens are produced.

2. Basic sports infrastructure facilities and planning of sports activities in the curriculum should be provided at the elementary level. The facilities should not be centralized as it fails to reach other sporting communities.

3. Instead of organizing the sports meet at centralized place which only concentrates on particular locality. The programmes need to be spread across. So that, it not only spreads the sporting culture but also helps in creating sports awareness among communities & develops the sporting village.

4. Proper coaching facilities & also professional expertise with fine technical knowledge shall help in yielding better results.

5. The government should emphasize more on indigenous and less popular sports in the country instead of concentrating on the popular sports, which is already deep rooted.

6. The governments run organizations such as SAI and other sports bodies should be made to function effectively. Implementation of effective sports policies shall help in the betterment of sports in India.

7. Media should play a pivotal role in sports promotion. It should not concentrate only on developed sports like 'Cricket' but should also focus on promoting the less popular sports in the country such as, Football, Basketball, Shuttle Badminton, Athletics etc

8. The allocation of budget towards sports and its proper utilization should be fair and impartial from the government and Government should maintain accountability in spending money on sportsman and sports bodies etc

9. We should adopt a scientific approach towards things by methodically approaching the problems, things will most definitely ameliorate. A strategic implementation of new ideas will improve the condition of all sports in India.

10. NGO development structure or private corporate undertaking may help in getting more funds. Corporate sector must give equal assistance and limelight to other sports other than cricket.

REFERENCES:

1. Byrne Julie E " O God of Players': Immaculate College Basketball and American Catholic Women's Pleasure , 1939-1975 " Duke University, Durham, USA, 2000
2. Cooper Pamella L " 26.2 Miles in America: The History of the marathon Footrace in the United States ", University of Maine, Oxford, USA, 1995
3. Dunning, Eric 'A Selection of Reading' in 'Sociology of Sports' Taylor & Francis group (Rout ledge), 2003
4. David Underdown (2000), "Start of Play", Allen Lane, p.3
5. Eldon, Synder E and Elmer Spreitzor 'Social Aspects of Sports' Prentice Hall, New Jersey, USA, 1989
6. Eastaway and Rob (2004), " What Is a Googly?: The Mysteries of Cricket Explained ", Great Britain: Robson Works, pp. 24.
7. Fish, Joel & Magee, Susan (2003), 101 Ways to Be a Terrific Sports Parent, Fireside, p. 168
8. Figel, Jan - European Year of Education through Sport, Brussels, 2 December 2004
9. Greg Couch-'Money a bad influence on sports', The Chicago sun times, July 27, 2003
10. H S Altham (1962), "A History of Cricket", Volume 1 (to 1914), George Allen & Unwin, p.21
11. Natan Alex 'Sport and Politics' in 'Sports Culture and Society' Loy John Wed, Mc Milan, Toronto, 1969
12. Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language (1967), Unabridged. Springfield, MA: G&C Merriam Company. p. 2206.

Vol.1/2008/35

Once an injury is sustained, various psychological reactions follow. It is important that coaches have knowledge of these reactions, and understand the signs that may help to identify poor injury adjustment. Furthermore, the primary concern of both player and club is successful rehabilitation, and there are many psychological factors that can influence the quality and speed of recovery. The main aim of this study is to provide an insight into the typical psychological reactions to injury, and offer key psychological recommendations that will help rehabilitation.

Psychological Reactions to Injury

The psychological reaction to injury is subject to a degree of individual variation. However, most players are likely to progress through three general categories of response,

• Injury Relevant Information Processing - The player will focus on the pain, extent and negative consequences of injury, and asks questions about how the injury happened.
• Emotional Upheaval and Reactive Behavior - The player will elicit emotional reactions such as shock, denial, disbelief, self-pity, and mood disturbances such as increased tension, anxiety, depression and anger.
• Positive Outlook and Coping - The player will accept the injury and exhibit an optimistic and positive attitude in attempting to cope.

Other Reactions

• Identity Loss - The player will experience a threat to/loss of personal identity. The injury forces them to disengage from an activity that is central to making them what they are, and they lose an important part of themselves.

• Isolation - The player will feel lonely and experience separation from the team and his/her team-mates. An important element of the player's social support system is lost.

• Fear and Anxiety - The player faces an uncertain future and will worry about making a full recover, possibilities of reinjury, regaining a place in the team or in extreme cases, the ability to play again.

• Lack of Confidence and Performance Decrements - The player will question his/her physical status, believing oneself to be more vulnerable to injury. The individual may become more tentative and cautious in play, trying to protect the injury. This translates into performance decrement, which can further erode confidence and lead to more anxiety and frustration.

Signs of Poor Adjustment

Coaches are in an excellent position to identify whether a player is adjusting poorly to injury. However, without an understanding of the psychological reactions to injury, important signs of problematic adjustment may be missed, thus prolonging recovery. Look out for the following:

• Evidence of anger and confusion;
• Obsession with the question "when can I play again?"
• Denial, reflected in remarks such as "The injury is no big deal."
• A history of corning back too soon and experiencing re-injury
• Dwelling on minor physical complaints
• Remarks about letting the team down or guilt at not being able to contribute
• Over-dependence on the physiotherapist
• Withdrawal from significant others, such as the physiotherapist, coach, teammates, family or friends

Psychological Aspects of Injury Rehabilitation

The most successful injury rehabilitation programmes are those that have adopted a holistic approach (i.e. one that supplements physical therapy with psychological strategies to facilitate recovery). One of the roles of the Sport Psychologist is to equip the player with the necessary coping skills to facilitate rehabilitation. The use of mental skills such as goal setting, positive self-talk, imagery visualization and relaxation training have all shown to players or athletes to;

i) control their reaction to injury

ii) deal effectively with the rehabilitation process

iii) cope with setbacks which occur. However, the focus of this article is on the important influence that coaches (and physiotherapist) can have on the psychological rehabilitation of players.

Rapport

The intense emotions that injured players experience often make it difficult to establish and build rapport, yet this is central to successful rehabilitation. The key is to make the player feel understood and accepted, and this can be done by adopting the following procedures.

i) Having empathy with the player will show an understanding of the injury and associated feelings from the player's perspective.

ii) Showing emotional support and 'being there' for the player will lessen the vulnerability and sense of isolation.

iii) Enlisting the player as part of the planning and implementation of the rehabilitation programme will show an acceptance of his/her role in the process, and give the player a crucial sense of control.

Education

It is important to give the players accurate information that will help them to understand

i) The injury in practical terms, and

ii) The recovery process that they will undertake.

This is often the primary responsibility of the physiotherapist.

Give information on:

i) The nature of the injury and the medical reasons for initiating particular treatments

ii) The goals of treatment

iii) Details of medical procedures that will be performed

iv) Possible sensations or side effects

v) How and when physical and psychological changes might occur.

The effect of quality medical information is to reduce the exaggerated fear of the unknown that is often caused by unclear or insufficient provision of information. Players cite such poor quality medical information as being one of the primary factors that hinders psychological rehabilitation, as it does nothing to reduce their worries and fears regarding the status of their injury or their future in the game.

Social Support

Injured players need social support. Social support from the coach, physiotherapist, teammates, friends and family of the injured player is so significant that it can facilitate or debilitate rehabilitation. The coach is essential to the support process, as the injured player must be made to feel wanted. There is evidence that good social support from coaches, where a concerted effort is made to maintain close and frequent personal contact with the player and an active interest in the individual's recovery is paramount.

Unfortunately, there is also evidence of emotional support being inadequate in practice. In one particular study of severely injured professional footballers, 67% of the sample cited a lack of listening or emotional support from the coach as a major factor that hindered psychological rehabilitation. Players felt that their relationship with the coach changed once they became injured. Contact became less frequent and more distant, which led the player to feel like "a hindrance", "a problem", "an outcast" and "bothersome". Such an absence of understanding encourages the player to foster the feelings of isolation and emotional dysfunction that are so psychologically damaging to recovery.

Conclusion:

To conclude, it is hoped that this study gives an insight into the typical psychological reactions to injury and offer key psychological recommendations for rehabilitation of sports injury. Rehabilitation programmes must consider both the physical and psychological aspects of injury if recovery is to be successful. Even a small amount of social support can have a profound and significant facilitating effect on a player's recovery. Conversely, doing nothing can also have a profound effect-damaging the recovery of the very same player that the coach desperately wants to be fit again. It is hoped that the greater understanding of the psychology of injury offered within this study provides coaches with some key recommendations and strategies that can be used to make the psychological rehabilitation of their players more effectively.

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