Sport as a Medium to Promote Peace
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the study
The main objective of the study is to examine the role of Sport as a medium to promote peace in Nigeria. Specifically this study aims to:
- Examine the role of sport in peace building
- Examine the influence of Sports on education, livelihoods, environment and conflict mitigation
- Determine if Through sport communities are harmonised hence cultivating a culture of understanding and tolerance
- Ascertain if Sports offer opportunities for vocational training for the youth
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
This project primarily found its foundation from literature within the sociology of sport discipline (Coalter, 2010; Darnell, 2011; Wilson, 2012), and fields of study such as peace studies (Samāddāra, 2004; Webel & Galtung, 2007), sport education (Camiré et. al, 2011; Camiré & Trudel, 2010), and sport for peace and development (Allen et. al, 2010; Beutler, 2008; Camire & Trudel, 2010; Kidd, 2008; Laverack, 2012). The literature review begins with a brief overview of the sociology of sport, defines sport for peace and development (SDP) within the context of this study, defines peace studies and peace building, examines the emergence of the SDP movement, notes current trends and approaches in sport for peace, notes current efforts in sport for peace in Kisumu, Kenya, and notes current opportunities in the sport for peace movement. Together, these previous and current findings form the theoretical basis for this study and substantiate the opportunity to contribute future research within the same fields of study.
The Sociology of Sport
What is the role of sociologists of sport in peace studies and peace building efforts?
Perhaps their most valuable contribution toward these areas is the critical sociological perspective they can bring (Coalter, 2012; Darnell 2010, 2012; Wilson, 2012). As Wilson suggests, the use of critical theoretical lenses can contribute to addressing peace-building issues more productively (Wilson, 2012, p. 203). Specifically, sociologists of sport who examine the role of sport in conflict transformation can provide insight into how other diplomacy efforts such as NGOs and private businesses are tracking in regards to the impact of their reconciliation projects (p. 204). The sociology of sport field can also provide awareness about how sport may reinforce forms of social inequality, how perpetuation of these inequalities undermines peace-building efforts, and how cultural violence emerges (p.204). In essence, sport cannot be included in development work without first considering why those development inequalities are present (Darnell, 2012, p.53). Exploring these issues through a critical sociological lens is one way to begin to recognize the limitations and challenges facing SDP in greater peace-building efforts, as well as provide hope for how approaches to SDP can evolve and respond to the needs of a given community or issue.
Defining Sport for Development and Peace (SDP)
The UN acknowledges sport as a cultural practice that is inclusive and participatory, both for spectators and athletes, and by uniting individuals and communities, sport has the opportunity to help bridge cultural and ethnic divisions (UN Statement, 2005). It is also acknowledged to serve as a forum for learning leadership, confidence, discipline, tolerance, cooperation, and respect (as cited in Coalter, 2013, p. 19). Though these outcomes are ideals, they often become the backbone of program design in efforts to use sport as a tool within development work.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
In this chapter, we would describe how the study was carried out.
Research design
Research design is a detailed outline of how an investigation took place. It entails how data is collected, the data collection tools used and the mode of analyzing data collected (Cooper & Schindler (2006). This study used a descriptive research design. Gill and Johnson (2002) state that a descriptive design looks at particular characteristics of a specific population of subjects, at a particular point in time or at different times for comparative purposes. The choice of a survey design for this study was deemed appropriate as Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) attest that it enables the researcher to determine the nature of prevailing conditions without manipulating the subjects.
Further, the survey method was useful in describing the characteristics of a large population and no other method of observation can provide this general capability. On the other hand, since the time duration to complete the research project was limited, the survey method was a cost effective way to gather information from a large group of people within a short time. The survey design made feasible very large samples and thus making the results statistically significant even when analyzing multiple variables. It allowed for many questions to be asked about a given topic giving considerable flexibility to the analysis. Usually, high reliability is easy to obtain by presenting all subjects with a standardized stimulus; observer subjectivity is greatly eliminated. Cooper and Schindler (2006) assert that the results of a survey can be easily generalized to the entire population.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which a hundred (100) were returned and validated. The analysis of this study is based on the number returned.
CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
CONCLUSION
Peace, stability, and human rights are essential for achieving development not only in Nigeria but also in the world at large. Social peace and stability play a significant role in achieving human well-being and development. It is for this reason that the sport clubs suggests that peace is one of the essential elements for delivering on the sustainable development goals.
In this study, our focus was to carryout a critical analysis on the role of Sport as a medium to promote peace. The study specifically was aimed at ascertaining the role of sport in peace building and the influence of Sports on education, livelihoods, environment and conflict mitigation. This study reviewed and anchored its framework on social theory.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 120 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are active workers in the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja.
The findings revealed that Sports plays a significant role in peace building. The findings also revealed Through sports communities are harmonised hence cultivating a culture of understanding and tolerance. Also it was revealed by the study that Sports offers opportunities for vocational training for the youth. And lastly, the study showed that Sports has a significant influence on education, livelihoods, environment and conflict mitigation.
Also, it has been found that the winning of matches and tournaments in most countries have reintegrated and united citizens. The values of sports such as fair play, respect, tolerance, teamwork, leadership, responsibility and trust among others, have also been applied in teaching moments and have produced many effective results in the area of reintegration and reconciliation of ex-combatants and victims of wars, back into societies on the African continent.
RECOMMENDATION
After analyzing the data generated and drawing conclusions to the study, I make the following recommendations;
There is need for such development initiatives to factor in communication concerns from the onset of the project under the guidance of a communication experts in order to factor in all communication facets and especially how to handle the communication process to get the desired outcomes and feedback.
Secondly sport should not be seen as a mobilization factor alone but as a communication medium that can be used to bring social and behavior change if properly implemented in various projects.
Various sports can also be combined in peace initiatives in order to reach out more people and various groups. Proper consultation of all concerned stakeholders in setting of project goals should be done well right from the start of any peace sport initiative to ensure community support.
Monitoring and evaluation is certainly another aspect of sports’ initiative programmes in peace building that was viewed to have created considerable challenges to sports organizers.
Periodic reports should not be limited to narrating simple outputs but they should be a means to rationally analyze and assess the impact of sports initiative and the ways in which this initiative could be improved.
Moreover, organizers could partner with academic institutions that may support this process by developing sound monitoring and evaluation systems conjunctly with NGO’s and communities at the grassroots level. Besides, sustainability and long-term vision of sports initiative must be grounded on the initial goals and objectives that were set during the planning stages.
Finally, studies on peace initiatives need to ensure that they are grounded on theoretical concerns especially in conflict resolution, peace building theories and communication theories. This multifaceted approach will certainly offer a much deeper knowledge of the benefits attributed to sport as an agent of transformation and change.
References
- Akinyi, Claris. Personal Communication. May 27, 2015.
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- Ataöv, A., & Haider, J. (2006). From participation to empowerment: Critical reflections on a participatory action research project with street children in Turkey. Children Youth and Environments, 16(2), 127-152.
- Azzarito, L., & Ennis, C. D. (2003). A sense of connection: Toward social constructivist physical education. Sport, Education and Society, 8(2), 179-197.
- Beutler, I. (2008). Sport serving development and peace: Achieving the goals of the United Nations through sport. Sport in Society, 11(4), 359-369.
- Camiré, M., Forneris, T., Trudel, P. & Bernard, D. (2011). Strategies for helping coaches facilitate positive youth development through sport. Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, 2(2), 92-99.
- Camiré, M., & Trudel, P. (2010). High school athletes’ perspectives on character development through sport participation. Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, 15(2), 193-207.
