Author(s): Dr. Emeka U Mong, Dr. Irivbemi Ben-Suru, Dr. Ohuruogu BN and Dr. Pat Ngwakwe

Abstract:
Sports serve as safety valve or avenue to dissipate excess, tension and possible expression of hostility in the society, and this gives those who are involved an opportunity to thereafter behave well. This paper examined the role of sport in development and maintenance of peace among African countries. The paper looked at the benefits of sports as a tool in the cessation of hostilities, to encourage reconciliation between conflicting nations and also help to bring support and benefits of physical activity to victims of conflict. The paper is of the opinion that sports serve as a catalyst for development and maintenance of peace in the society, thus bringing about desirable social change. The paper postulated that sport can be used as a tool to encourage school attendance, improve people’s health, create jobs, support the economy, reduce gender inequality and raise environmental awareness. The paper also identified insufficient physical activity as one of the main causes of death in the world, it is a major predisposing factor to hypokinetic diseases such as heart diseases cancer, asthma, diabetes and osteoporosis. The paper concluded that these health problems that stand as obstacles to development and peace in a society can be prevented through a programme that promote healthy diets, sports and physical activity participation. It therefore recommended that, governments through their agencies and ministries and various NGOs should use sport as a common ground to promote peace, health, development and reconciliation in conflict-prone areas of the continent.

Pages: 371-373  |  1592 Views  204 Downloads

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