Does Sport unite the Commonwealth?
Posted by AlexT - 14/10/09 at 03:10 pm
Bill Morris discusses the important role of sport in uniting the diverse citizens of the Commonwealth.
He was born in Jamaica and came to Britain as a teenager. He became the first black leader of a British trade union when he was elected General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union in 1992. Today he sits in the House of Lords as a working life peer, and also serves as a non-executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
Transcript:
Q: Do you think that cricket, and perhaps sport more generally- rugby union and so on- plays an important role in uniting people who are from very different countries and cultures?
A: Oh yes, indeed so, sport brings people together, people from different faiths and cultures, people who have an opportunity to measure their talent. Sport is an enriching activity and is seen very much in the Commonwealth and we’re all looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Scotland and from that position there are a lot of lessons to be drawn in the context of the contribution sports can make in bringing people together.
NB: In the interview Bill Morris mentions the next Commonwealth Games will be held in Scotland. He is referring to the “next” Games after Delhi in 2010.
Category : Sport
Tags: Morris, Sport
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October 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
It brings us into contact with one another. I would not say it unites us.
Perhaps its how well we know the Aussies that makes it so good when we beat them?
Or just that they are sporting rivals.
Its the same old past history thing which people mention throughout the Commonwealth family. But we have past history with Germany and Argentina in football, and thats why matches are so intense.
Cricket and Rugby Union are old empire games. But the Commonwealth Games are a bit of a joke in comparision with the Olympics or World Championships. I guess it gives us something to win.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:10 pm
As a cricket lover the Commonwealth holds a special resonance for me as it is through these links that my favorite game is played. Although they are not explicitly \Commonwealth\. I have not seen cricket on the line-up for the Commonwealth Games for instance.
October 31st, 2009 at 6:06 am
sports can actually sometimes divide more than unite. The Commonwealth’s unity does not really depend on that as much as cooperation, understanding between member states, etc, does.