THE ROLE OF SPORTS IN

NATION BUILDING
BY
KHALID ATTAH-OSEI
THE ROLE OF SPORTS IN NATION BUILDING
To understand the link between sports and National
Development, there should be a critical look at the
fundamental benefits that individuals who engages in
sports are likely to achieve.

The attainment of these benefits brings out the aim of

Physical Education which is to produce an educated
person who is physically fit, mentally alert,
emotionally sound and socially wholesome.
For the purpose of this lesson, the role of sports in
Nation Building shall be discussed under the
following sub-headings:

 Health Development
 Economic Development
 Social development
 Political Development
Group Activity
In your groups, discuss briefly how the area
you have picked in sports contributes to
national Development.

5 minutes.

Report your findings to the larger group.

2 minutes.
Health Development:
 Prevention of diseases that come as a result of sedentary
life styles.
 Increases life expectancy of individuals when they adhere
to high health related physical standards.
 Stress, boredom and other emotional disorders are reduced
through recreational activities and sports.
 Many scientific researches are carried out in sports to
bring about new ideas and inventions.
 Help reduces the National budget on health issues.
Economic Development:
 Helps reduce the unemployment situation in the country
by employing many people into the sector.
 Individuals are able to stay active and perform their daily
life activities at optimal capacity thereby increasing
Production.
 Stadia, gyms, fitness centres and other social amenities
provides revenue for self sustainability of people and this
contributes the Nation’s GDP
 Promotes Foreign Exchange and investment
 The sports industry boosts the economic activities in the
country.
Social Development:
 Reduces conflicts among tribes by creating cordial
relationships between them.
 Help to build a stronger character of people to enable them
have positive attitudes and values in the society.
 People a common are able to come together for a common
goal in driving issues of National interest or initiatives.
 Socio-cultural background of a Nation is preserved
through sports.
 Serves as a catalyst for religious tolerance, racial
variations, gender equity and inclusivity, as well as other
societal differences.
Political Development:
 People of various Political Parties are brought together to
form Teams, thereby promoting National unity.
 Nationalism and Patriotism is realized through sports.
 Different Nations interact through sports to promote world
peace by forming governing bodies. Eg, FIFA, IOC, CAF.
 Technological advancement in sports creates avenues for
globalization.
 Talents are harnessed and developed for such persons who
becomes icons and competes to put their Nations on the
world map.
 THANK YOU