International, cross-cultural aspects of sports

Soccer is a global sport. Baseball also has an international flavor. Team members on any one team may come from different countries, including the U.S., Japan, Korea, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Panama, Italy, Canada, and Australia.

Although sports often pit nations against one another, they can also highlight cross cultural issues. Many movies deal with these issues. View the movie trailer of Bend It Like Beckham, a cross-cultural comedy about an Anglo-Indian teenager who idolizes soccer star, David Beckham. When the page opens, click on the link 'Trailer and clips.'

What do you think? Can sports like soccer and baseball create cross-cultural bonds, or are they more likely to create competition and conflict between nations? Post a comment expressing your ideas.

Comments

[Ki]

For years, Japan and Korea have had an uncomfortable relationship because of past history. It is still expressed in sports. When Korean players face any sports game which is Japan versus Korea, they suddenly get extreme power mentally. However, these days they are becoming good competitive friends as you saw in the 2002 World Cup. When the Korean soccer team appeared in the final 4, the Japanese supported Korea. They have been enemies in the past, but nowadays they are becoming friends.

[Jun, Mi Hyang]

Baseball is a very famous sport in the world. Among it, Major league likes many people. Also when they saw the game, they set up a shout of joy and stand together against. Thus baseball can function as a connection all over the world.

[Seon Mi]

When the Korean War broke out, Turkey sent many volunteers to Korea, so we felt that Turkey was our brother. After that, we could have good communication with Turkey, but when Korea held the 2002 World Cup, we had to play against Turkey. Although Turkey finally won, we still felt a sense of brotherhood with this country.

[Justin]

Most of the U.S baseball teams have international players from many countries. I thought, that is a strategic purpose of team's management. Because all major league teams are not only for U.S people. Many countries people likes to watch them and enjoy the games.

[Adel]

I think sports like baseball and soccer can bond many countries because sports make many countries gather. If sports were not, this world's meeting would reduce. Sports allow to make up friedsship among countries. So those contibute all of the worlds befriend rapidly

[Great Andy]

Sports involve intermediation. We can create stronger relationships through sports. It doesn't matter where players are from. They are just members of a team who have the same aim. In order to win the game they need to understand one another. Therefore, they try to have a good relationship. That's why sports create cross-cultural bonds. I think sports can be diplomacy.

[Lee Kyoung Bok]

Sports have a really strong power. We have different cultures from different countries, but we become one through sport games because we have a game under the same rule. In the middle of the game, we support our team or nation enthusiastically, but we can send applause to the other country and team after finishing the game. Through these processes, we can get close to another country and culture easily.

[Yumi]

I think that sports can create strong relationships between countries and between people. For example, in 2002, Korea and Japan held the World Cup games. At that time, whenever Korea had a game, most Koreans supported our team everywhere. However, as a result of holding the World Cup together, Japan and Korea could develop a stronger relationship. The two countries became closer.

[Ilsoo Yoon]

When the World Cup 2002 was held, I saw many interesting scenes. Of course, Koreans supported the Korean teams, but some groups of Korean people also supported other teams who were playing against the Korean team. So, I thought sports are not games for only winning anymore. No matter who wins in a game, sports are being globalized and becoming a big world festival.

[Eugene Rhim]

There are some way to cultural exchange with all around the world. Especially, sports is most powerful way to connect because it can enjoy everybody and everywhere.