"Sport help people to earn a living and become career athletes"

This week governments will meet in London to consider how sport can contribute to advancing vital development goals. The 6th Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meeting will review how all types of games can address social and economic challenges and promote global public health.

But why is sport so important for national development? According to Tamica Parchment, 24,  a Commonwealth Correspondent from Jamaica, it is a unifying force and can provide access to higher education for the under- privileged.

Sports is one of the most powerful mediums of development because of its spill-over effect. It utilizes the individual, whose success can later affect the economy, a nation’s morale and improve the overall reputation of a country.

Firstly, sports provide a fun and easy way to keep a nation healthy. One of the main challenges countries face is an unhealthy and unproductive workforce. An unhealthy population is expensive and can stunt growth as governments must spend more on healthcare instead of other social needs.

Sports have been used in many countries as a tool to promote national unity and nation building as they unite different people from various backgrounds. In Jamaica, football events have been used to help to soothe conflicts between communities as they encourage interaction and understanding in a neutral space.

For poorer countries and poor people in developed nations, sports provide a medium of financial stability and access to higher education through scholarships. Sports such as football and basketball  have helped many people to earn a living and become career athletes. This means lower unemployment rates and higher productivity in a society; which in turn helps development.

Sports related industries such as sports tourism also help to improve the economy. Jamaica is very popular in track and field events and attracts hundreds of visitors yearly who are curious about the training used by athletes.

The popularity of Jamaican athletes has also made the country more popular internationally and that increases the number of visitors. This assists development due to its economic impact and the encouragement of partnerships with international bodies, which can further boost the improvement of the society.

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About me:

I’m a television editor/producer and business communications specialist. I have a first degree in media and communications and international relations. I enjoy classic literature, art, studying languages and reading about foreign policy and other political issues.

I have two goals I would like to achieve in my lifetime: to travel to many places around the world and to make an impact through media by encouraging behavioural change.

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Commonwealth Youth Programme. Articles are published in a spirit of dialogue, respect and understanding. If you disagree, why not submit a response?

To learn more about becoming a Commonwealth Correspondent please visit: http://www.yourcommonwealth.org/submit-articles/commonwealthcorrespondents/