Sports as a Unifying Factor in International Relations a Case Study of Nigeria and Ghana Relations
Chapter One
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to examine sports as a unifying factor in international relations with focus on the Nigeria and Ghana while the following are the specific objectives:
- To find out if sports can be used as a unifying factor in trade between Nigeria and Ghana.
- To determine the effect of sportson cultural exchange between Nigeria and Ghana..
- To determine to what extent sports is being promoted as a unifying factor in diplomacy in Nigeria and Ghana.
- To find out if sports can be used as a unifying factor in security between Nigeria and Ghana
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEWAND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
INTRODUCTION
This chapter is the literature review and theoretical framework of this research. It will review the history and development of sports, types of sports, sports as a unifying factor, aspects of international relations, and influence of sports on global interaction. Endogenous growth theory and neoclassical growth theory were utilized for the theoretical explanation of the variables.
CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS
Artifacts and structures suggest sport in China as early as 2000 BC. Gymnastics appears to have been popular in China’s ancient past; Monuments to the Pharaohs indicate that a number of sports, including swimming and fishing, were well-developed and regulated several thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt. Other Egyptian sports included javelin throwing, high jump, and wrestling. Ancient Persian sports such as the traditional Iranian martial art of Zourkhaneh had a close connection to warfare skills. Among other sports that originated in ancient Persia are polo and jousting. A wide range of sports were already established by the time of Ancient Greece and the military culture and the development of sport in Greece influenced one another considerably. Sport became such a prominent part of their culture that the Greeks created the Olympic Games, which in ancient times were held every four years in a small village in the Peloponnesus called Olympia (Irabor, 2010).
Sports have been increasingly organized and regulated from the time of the ancient Olympics up to the present century. Industrialization has brought increased leisure time, letting people attend and follow spectator sports and participate in athletic activities. These trends continued with the advent of mass media and global communication. Professionalism became prevalent, further adding to the increase in sport’s popularity, as sports fans followed the exploits of professional athletes – all while enjoying the exercise and competition associated with amateur participation in sports (Irabor, 2010).
Team sports may have developed to train and to prove the capability to fight in the military.and also to work together as a team (military unit). The physical activity that developed into sports had early links with ritual, warfare and entertainment.Study of the history of sport can teach lessons about social changes and about the nature of sport itself, as sport seems involved in the development of basic human skills – compare play. As one delves further back in history, dwindling evidence makes theories of the origins and purposes of sport more and more difficult to support (Irabor, 2010).
Ancient Greece introduced formal sports, with the first Olympic Games in 776 BC, that included sports such as human and chariot races, wrestling, jumping, disk and javelin throwing, and more.Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892) of New York invented the modern baseball field in 1845. Alexander Cartwright and the members of his New York Knickerbocker Base Ball Club devised the first rules and regulations that were accepted for the modern game of baseball.The first formal rules were devised in 1892. Initially, players dribbled a soccer ball up and down a court of unspecified dimensions. Points were earned by landing the ball in a peach basket. Iron hoops and a hammock-style basket were introduced in 1893 (Anuchie, 2015). Another decade passed, however, before the innovation of open-ended nets put an end to the practice of manually retrieving the ball from the basket each time a goal was scored.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitutes of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried to examine Sports as a Unifying Factor in International Relations. Nigeria and Ghana Relations form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
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 eighty (80) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which only seventy-seven (77) were returned and validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 77 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain Sports as a Unifying Factor in International Relations a Case Study of Nigeria and Ghana Relations. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing Sports as a Unifying Factor in International Relations a Case Study of Nigeria and Ghana Relations.
Summary
This study was on Sports as a Unifying Factor in International Relations a Case Study of Nigeria and Ghana Relations. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out if sports can be used as a unifying factor in trade between Nigeria and Ghana, to determine the effect of sports on cultural exchange between Nigeria and Ghana, to determine to what extent sports is being promoted as a unifying factor in diplomacy in Nigeria and Ghana and to find out if sports can be used as a unifying factor in security between Nigeria and Ghana. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from Nigeria and Ghana. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).
Conclusion
Nigeria and Ghana has enjoyed good relations right from time. Although, discriminatory policies, high tariffs, long process of registration, transportation problem, obnoxious policies and
bickering are some of the challenges identified in the sport relations between Nigeria and Ghana. Nigeria andGhana who played leading and major roles in the formation of ECOWAS who should have been responsiblemajorly for its functionality are one of the greatest violators of the various protocols of ECOWAS. This research analyzed the role of sports as a unifying factors in international relations with focus on Nigeria and Ghana relations in terms of trade, cultural exchange, promotion of diplomacy and security. It was obvious from the findings that the unification function of sports has greater effect on cultural exchange and promotion of diplomacy that trade and security.
Recommendations
Based on the results and the conclusions of this study, the following recommendations and proposed by the current researcher:
- Friendly policies should be enacted in sports by Nigeria and Ghana to facilitate improved trade and security cooperation between the two countries.
- Regular fixing and sponsoring of friendly matches between Nigeria and Ghana will improve cultural exchange and promote diplomacy in their relations.
References
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