The Social Performance Expected of Sports

Abstract

Current societal issues cannot be understood simply in a "conflict of interest" context. The reason is that such problems concern everyone who is a part of the society, and are issues in which no one is uninvolved. The term "social performance" postulates something that you, as a member of society, can do for it, and how you can make your own contribution. This phrase, introduced in America, is aimed at solving problems through a positive rather than a negative approach. The term "social performance" very accurately highlights a major problem in sports. It is now necessary to ask : "Why sports, " rather than : "What are sports?" Why have sports become so popular the world over, as is the case today? When sports assume a significant position in a society, it is inconceivable to determine what sports are without asking the question "Why?" The social performance expected of sports could perhaps be described as including the following five elements : One is moral ; and the second is life. Sports provide life with an instinctive sensation of existence, along with the feeling that one's identity is confirmed. The third is global ; and the fourth is community. Sports revive and reunite disintegrated communities, as well as create new interrelationships and exchanges. The fifth is costs. Sports respond to the concept that people can lead enriched lives at a relatively small social cost. However, there is no one and absolute answer as to what is the appropriate social performance for sports. The people involved need to make their own choices. In Japan the time has come for sports, which have been held in disregard, to be thrown open to society and for its proper social value to be acknowledged.