Politics will remain in sports
Every governing body are all subject to political influence and manoeuvring. The Olympics, Fifa, Eufa and many others are all subject to lobbying from the political leaders of the world. This is just a simple political quid pro quo.
These governing bodies are within the framework of foreign policies of developed countries! The magnitude of international politics on these institutions is beyond our imagination. This is not just a mere sport. This is a major social and political event.
Why was Russia so eager to host the winter Olympics and other major sporting events? I think it’s done for political grandeur and not because they want to host the cultural event – the supposed essence of this sporting event. We have to accept that sports is politics in itself, but what is not acceptable for me is when the real essence of sport is gone in exchange for political supremacy.
Interesting to note also, one of the political driving forces is the economic benefits of hosting such an event with the exception perhaps of Greece.
From Mr Paulo Jose Ante
UAE
No sexism, only concern!
The level of commitment to football has been very high and has huge participation from teams around the world and a fan base that spans across borders. The game had a reputation of being most lucrative in sports, but it has come as a realisation that like any other sports where sponsorship fees, advertising rates and television broadcast rights fetch glamorous money, football cannot become an exception to demands of greedy officials.
The most outrageous remarks the former Fifa President Sepp Blatter occasionally made about women triggered much controversy recently. Generally, sports authorities in Western countries are very encouraging when it comes to women participation. I believe it is just few individuals like Blatter who voice their dissidence against the participation of women in sports. If there are any reservations others may have about women playing sports, their intention is stemmed from a genuine concern over the safety of women players. Football is arguably masculine with players needing to be really athletic. The stress level, the noise, the screaming from thousands of fans, open air environments and the chances of injury are reasons why there is opposition.
One thing is for sure - there is no organised resistance against women in the field of sports, at least in Western countries. More than sexist remarks, it is the racial discrimination that needs to be addressed.
From Mr V. I. Mohammad Sageer
UAE
Women’s Fifa underrated!
Sometimes watching sports can be just as dramatic as watching a soap opera. Fifa Women’s World Cup may be rightly termed as the most controversial moment in World Cup history. There have been many moments that brought fans to the edge of their seats and subsequently left them shaking their heads in disbelief. Fifa and its racial discrimination have stirred the hornet’s nest, weaving a tangled net of controversy. Women players are left with no choice but to grin and bare the sexism. The sport continues to occupy a rather ambiguous position within the context of politics and foreign policy. Foreign policy interventions are barely evident and more subtle in the campaign for gender equality, which is occurring far more prominently. But behind emotional attachment to the game, football is a multi-billion dollar industry and its governing body, Fifa, have been dealing with accusations of bribery, extortion and sexism. There is an overwhelming need to focus on the conducive and material conditions of participation.
From Ms Shivani Singh
UAE
Keep politics far away
Sports and those who organise them should not be affiliated with politics. Everything should be taken in sportsmanship and there should be complete transparency. The competition in sports is just like appearing in examinations. Politics has no room in examination papers. Sports also should be taken in similar way. Both men and women are equal in front of the governing body and there is no partiality and segregation. Politics will certainly cast a shadow on an individual’s spirit and ultimately they get fed up and distant from their skill. I think international governing bodies have neither reached success nor are they neutral. As long as they play politics, nothing will change. The members of the committee should be only those who are away from politics. They should always be neutral and should not show partiality to any country, individual, religion or group. Otherwise, the spirit of sports will die forever.
From Mr Thottikamath Balaraman
Dubai
Too much money
Instead of wasting all the money on offices and huge salaries, wouldn’t it be better that all that money be spent on the sport for the sport and for the people. It creates opportunities and facilities for more people to enjoy sports and equal opportunities for men and women.
Who makes money? The sponsors and the organising bodies. What about the people of the host nations? Are Brazil’s people in a better place now after the World Cup? After the 2016 Olympics, what does it bring to the people?
Every top sport is riddled with corruption and money is the root cause. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Lance Armstrong, football match fixing and international cricket match fixing. The list is endless!
Last but not least, the problem of racism also exists. So politics is only a small part of the problem and it will take a long time, a lot of dedication and determination to turn professional sports back to being professional. It’s sad that we live in a world where we only pretend to do the right thing.
From Mr David Woodward
Dubai
Who cares about the sport?
Every organisation, without exception, is politicised and operates for the personal benefit of the people managing that organisation. Benefits include, and are not limited to, money, gifts and power. Sycophants clog these organisations like parasites because they are incapable of doing anything else. It’s easy money for them. The rot grows disproportionately until such a time that the only thing that the organisation does is to stop the rot from spreading to the public. In essence, all major organisations cater to the whims and fancies of a select few and at the expense of tax payers.
In addition, is the illegal betting that amounts to a parallel global economy. Part of the proceeds of which, allegedly, reach the pockets of the management of these organisations.
Who cares about the sport? They care only for themselves at all costs.
From Mr Ajit Lamba
UAE
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