Whether the sport is tennis or soccer, volleyball or cricket, the game draws enthusiasts from all over the world. Experts in sports and geopolitics say that hosting international events can have economic benefits.
It raises a nation’s profile on the global stage, giving prestige to local populations and greasing the wheels for trade and commerce. But there are costs.
Tennis
A popular game around the world, tennis is a fast-paced, highly strategic sport that requires both physical strength and mental agility. It is played on a variety of surfaces, including grass, clay, and hard courts of asphalt or concrete topped with acrylic. The sport has a large following worldwide, with over a billion fans in Europe, Asia, and America.
Tennis can be played by one person against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of two players each (doubles). The four top tournaments in the sport are known as Grand Slams, and each year millions of people watch these events. The game is also a great workout and can be enjoyed at any age. Those who enjoy watching the sport will love the thrill of seeing an underdog beat a higher-seeded competitor!
Volleyball
In the same way as tennis, volleyball is a sport with a long history and a wide popularity. The game was invented in 1895 by William Morgan, the physical director of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. He combined aspects of basketball, baseball, handball, and tennis to create a game that required less physical contact. The first national tournament was conducted in 1916. Since then, the United States Volleyball Association has been the rules-making and governing body for the game in America.
Originally called “minonette,” the game has evolved over the years and is now one of the most popular sports in the world. The game gained Olympic status in 1957, and has continued to grow since then. Beach volleyball was added to the Olympics in 1996, further expanding its reach and popularity.
Soccer
Referred to as football in many parts of the world, professional soccer has a global following with billions of fans. It is a fast-paced sport that often produces tense and exciting games. It is also a highly social sport, with spectators gathering together in stadiums and bars to cheer on their favorite teams. Despite its global popularity, pro soccer struggles to become massive in the United States and Canada, where baseball, American football and basketball are far more popular. However, players like Giannis Antetokounmpo (a.k.a the Greek Freak), Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic are proving that it can be done.
Soccer was first played over 3000 years ago by the Aztecs, who called it tchatali and used a stone for a ball. It was later introduced to Europe and eventually became the sport we know today.
Baseball
Baseball is one of the major sports that has been adapted around the world. It is particularly popular in the Caribbean and Latin America, as well as in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. This globalization of professional baseball has a number of important effects. The first effect is that American baseball attracts the most elite athletes, who then migrate to other countries. This can lead to the development of a new cultural identity in those countries. Know more by visiting 해외스포츠중계.
Another effect is that globalization of professional baseball has boosted the business of its teams. This is due to the fact that broadcasts of games provide revenue for many clubs. For example, the CPBL in Taiwan generates income through its game telecasts sponsored by the Videoland TV Company.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport where two teams of five players compete against each other to score points by shooting a ball into a basket mounted on a backboard at either end of a rectangular court. The game is widely played in the United States, Canada, China, and the Philippines. It is one of the most popular sports in the world, with around 2-3 billion fans worldwide.
Invented by James Naismith at the Springfield YMCA in 1892, the game quickly spread to other countries. In fact, it was the first of several team sports to make its way to the Olympics, where it debuted as a regular event in 1976. The United Nations has proclaimed 21 December as World Basketball Day. The event celebrates the power of sports to promote peace and development, respect for human rights, and gender equality.