Why Do We Love Sports?

Sports fulfill numerous psychological functions andencounter manifold situations; augment their coping
needs.strategies; and personally grow and develop.
The love of - nay, addiction to - competitive and4. Reversibility
solitary sports cuts across all social-economic strataIn sports, there is always a second chance, often
and throughout all the demographics. Whether as adenied us by Life and nature. No loss is permanent
passive consumer (spectator), a fan, or as aand crippling; no defeat is insurmountable and
participant and practitioner, everyone enjoys oneirreversible. Reversal is but a temporary condition, not
form of sport or another. Wherefrom this universalthe antechamber to annihilation. Safe in this certainty,
propensity?sportsmen and spectators dare, experiment, venture
Sports cater to multiple psychological and physiologicalout, and explore. A sense of adventure permeates all
deep-set needs. In this they are unique: no othersports and, with few exceptions, it is rarely
activity responds as do sports to so manyaccompanied by impending doom or the exorbitant
dimensions of one's person, both emotional, andproverbial price-tag.
physical. But, on a deeper level, sports provide more5. Belonging
than instant gratification of primal (or base, dependingNothing like sports to encourage a sense of
on one's point of view) instincts, such as the urge tobelonging, togetherness, and we-ness. Sports involve
compete and to dominate.teamwork; a meeting of minds; negotiation and
1. Vindicationbartering; strategic games; bonding; and the
Sports, both competitive and solitary, are moralitynarcissism of small differences (when we reserve our
plays. The athlete confronts other sportspersons, ormost virulent emotions — aggression, hatred,
nature, or his (her) own limitations. Winning orenvy — towards those who resemble us the
overcoming these hurdles is interpreted to be themost: the fans of the opposing team, for instance).
triumph of good over evil, superior over inferior, theSports, like other addictions, also provide their
best over merely adequate, merit over patronage. Itproponents and participants with an "exo-skeleton": a
is a vindication of the principles of quotidian-religioussense of meaning; a schedule of events; a regime of
morality: efforts are rewarded; determination yieldstraining; rites, rituals, and ceremonies; uniforms and
achievement; quality is on top; justice is done.insignia. It imbues an otherwise chaotic and
2. Predictabilitypurposeless life with a sense of mission and with a
The world is riven by seemingly random acts ofdirection.
terror; replete with inane behavior; governed by6. Narcissistic Gratification (Narcissistic Supply)
uncontrollable impulses; and devoid of meaning. SportsIt takes years to become a medical doctor and
are rule-based. Theirs is a predictable universe wheredecades to win a prize or award in academe. It
umpires largely implement impersonal, yet justrequires intelligence, perseverance, and an inordinate
principles. Sports is about how the world should haveamount of effort. One's status as an author or
been (and, regrettably, isn't). It is a safe delusion; ascientist reflects a potent cocktail of natural
comfort zone; a promise and a demonstration thatendowments and hard labour.
humans are capable of engendering a utopia.It is far less onerous for a sports fan to acquire and
3. Simulationclaim expertise and thus inspire awe in his listeners
That is not to say that sports are sterile or irrelevantand gain the respect of his peers. The fan may be an
to our daily lives. On the very contrary. They are anutter failure in other spheres of life, but he or she
encapsulation and a simulation of Life: theycan still stake a claim to adulation and admiration by
incorporate conflict and drama, teamwork andvirtue of their fount of sports trivia and narrative
striving, personal struggle and communal strife,skills.
winning and losing. Sports foster learning in a safeSports therefore provide a shortcut to
environment. Better be defeated in a football matchaccomplishment and its rewards. As most sports are
or on the tennis court than lose your life on theuncomplicated affairs, the barrier to entry is low.
battlefield.Sports are great equalizers: one's status outside the
The contestants are not the only ones to benefit.arena, the field, or the court is irrelevant. One's
From their detached, safe, and isolated perches,standing is really determined by one's degree of
observers of sports games, however vicariously,obsession.
enhance their trove of experiences; learn new skills;