Sports are more than a game between players or teams. Sports are a form of entertainment, an activity that brings people together, and a way of life for so many. A person can be an athlete, a fan, or a casual viewer. It doesn't matter which one it is for us, but sports always have the power to make memories that we cherish for a long time. It can build communities among those who love them and help forge bonds in ways we never imagined. In this post, I will go into some of the sports that I am a fan of and love to watch. I'll share how sports do not only benefit the people who play but also those who watch them.
Entertainment
Why do we love to watch sports? What makes us enjoy watching people who compete with each other? The main reason is usually that sports are a form of entertainment. It is something that helps us to pass the time with some form of story: it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Like books, movies, or TV, we never know what the ending is of this story until we see it ourselves. That gradual discovery and the highs and lows of the process that entertain us.
Culture and Tradition
Filipinos, for some strange reason, love basketball. You can throw a stone anywhere in the country and it would hit someone who is a fan. You can find a basketball fan from the fanciest places to the most rural settings in the Philippines.
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| Photo by Ralph Patrick Rojo |
The sport is much-loved in the Philippines and it has become part of the culture of the country. It is common to find Filipinos playing the game anywhere. They could be in a gym, basketball court, or on a makeshift court on the street. The location does not matter. It also does not matter if they are wearing the proper shoes, wearing flip-flops, or barefoot. If they want to play, they will play. Anytime, anywhere. That is how much people love basketball in the country. Filipinos usually lack the right height for the sport, but it is still the most popular sport in the country.
Bonding and Camaraderie
I grew up in a family full of basketball fans. Watching the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) on TV was a regular family activity. We all had our favorite teams and our favorite players, so we used our watch time as a way to bond with each other.
Back when I was a student, I was also a huge fan of college basketball, and I was serious about it too. I followed the games so much to the point that I joined the school paper to cover them. In Tagalog. That was a crazy time.
I even became a cheerleader to have the chance to watch games for free. Crazy, right? That era was the height of my basketball fandom. I did so much for my love of that game back then. I had a great time and met a lot of amazing people. I have no regrets.
I was the type who would be screaming my heart out in the stands in support of my favorite team with family and friends. I loved sharing this passion with others back when I was still an active fan. It helped me form strong relationships with others that last beyond the game.
Stress Relief
Watching sports can be a distraction from the tough parts of life. Sports can help us to get relief from stress. Enjoying a game and the excitement it brings helps people to have an outlet for their emotions.
Being able to laugh, cry, or scream your heart out for your favorites is such a great way to de-stress for me. I will always appreciate the benefit that loving sports has had for me.
Knowledge and Expertise
If you become a big fan of any sport, you become knowledgeable in the game and in the athletes who play them. I know that I learned more about sports I love more as a fan than I learned them in school. At some point, people tend to have a level of expertise in the sports they love due to this fandom.
One example of this was when I was playing a basketball game on TV while I was working at home. I wasn't even that focused on the game but when I saw a player that traveled, I muttered, "traveling" as I worked. Sure enough, the referee called it. It surprised me how familiar I was with the game years later even if I did not follow it anymore.
Despite that example, I admit there is one aspect of a sport that I loved that I will most likely never understand. I may never be able to explain of football's "offside" even if my life depended on it. I loved the game, but no matter how many matches I've seen I still can't understand it!
Travel Opportunities
Most die-hard fans tend to travel to follow their favorite teams and athletes. It is a way for fans to show support for their favorites when they compete away from home.
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| Photo by Stanley Morales |
I used to travel several hours to and from the city to be able to watch football games. I wanted to show my support to my favorite athletes and teams back when I was a big football fan. There is something special about sharing that kind of experience with fellow fans. You not only get to enjoy the sport but you get to experience visiting different places as well.
Inspiration
Sports can also benefit fans because of the inspiration that they bring. The amazing athletes become a source of inspiration for many. They make us want to aspire to be healthy and fit like they are. They inspire us to achieve the level of excellence that we love about them.
Filipino athletes are usually underdogs in the sports that they compete in. Despite the odds, they often find ways to win competitions anyway.
For me, this is why Filipinos love basketball. This is why they love the Philippine men's basketball team that if often called Gilas. It is about a team that manages to surprise people despite the odds.
The name Gilas (aka puso) was coined because of the love the Philippines has for basketball. It has also become synonymous with pushing on despite everything. It is an inspiration to do things with all our hearts no matter the obstacles.
While I used to be a big sports fan, I find myself out of touch with sports lately. I have watched a few games of the sports I love, but that's it. I have not made the common commitment to follow my favorite teams or athletes the way I used to.
I used to love following college basketball even after I graduated, but now I haven't seen a game in years. I also had an NBA team that I was a major fan of, but now I haven't seen a full game in such a long time. It is sad to think that I don't even follow the PBA (or the NBA) anymore. I don't even know the names of the teams or the players. It feels strange since I used to have posters of athletes from these leagues on my wall when I was younger.
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| Photo by Sides Imagery |
Even my love for watching boxing and football is something that has faded lately. I have tried getting back to being as much of a fan of these sports as I used to be, but I have not been successful. I cannot seem to get back the excitement that I used to feel back then.
I may get excited when watching games these days, but I still have an appreciation for these sports. I recently watched an NBA game on TV, and I am still in awe whenever I see an athlete or team play well. I still love seeing a good play, a good assist, or a shot when I watch a game.
The same goes for football. I still enjoy watching a game if it is good, but the thrill I used to feel with the experience is not as big as it used to be. I miss it.
I may not be a big sports fan anymore, but I will always have a soft spot for it. Nothing beats the excitement when your team is fighting for a win. There's something very impactful about the heartbreak of a loss.
I will always love the frenzy that happens when my favorite team wins. Being able to share that with strangers who have become friends will always be memorable. One day I hope I can rekindle that love I had for sports. Maybe someday I can have those kinds of memories again.
The topic of sports that people love to watch was the topic of discussion on the Fandesals Podcast. If you can understand Tagalog, this episode may be one to watch. I have embedded it at the end of this post.
What sports do you love to watch? Are there any sports that you love to play? Why do you love them and what are the benefits you have gained from loving sports? Share your experiences with me in the comments section!
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