Sports... Holistic Radiography
Sports are an unlimited source of resources, that not only manifests itself to the multitudes; is one of the most authentic features of national identity.
Its segmentation is an evolutionary one; from school, holistic education, competitive, sports for all, adapted sports, among others. Definitions of the term sport provide an integrative and inclusive perspective. The European Charter for Sports defines it as "all forms of activities on which, through participation, whether organized or not, aim at the expression or improvement of the physical and mental condition, the development of social relations, and the achievement of results in competition at all levels."
Sports growth and development by influential societies is a fundamental part of their educational and multi-sectorial preparation for life. Its orientation towards high sports achievements, makes it one of the most effective ways in which society can contribute to the promotion of the welfare and healthy citizens. It develops the spirit of improvement and emulation among people, for the consolidation of habits of social discipline, of solidarity among men and women, and for the cultivation of a better quality of life; In a sentence...
FOR THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE HUMAN BEING.
Sports exercises the habit of effort, discipline, the spirit of sacrifice ... sports helps to shape the character of youth, and educates them on its entirety.
Besides being a fundamental aspect that must be a protagonist in all the sectors of our society, sports are an industry that contributes quantitative and qualitatively to our economic development.
In Puerto Rico, we have several national heroes who are internationally recognized for their performance in their respective specialties. With their earnings, direct result of their discipline, efforts, and sacrifices, they begin a cycle of reinvestment that positively impacts our socio-economic streams.
For example, last weekend, our four times World Boxing Champion, Miguel Cotto, held a boxing card under his promotion firm in a Convention Center that is usually utilized as a commercial and industrial venue. His platform provides a workshop to new talents that without his company, wouldn’t have a decent way to earn their income.
Beyond boxing, Cotto has bought countless gas stations and properties in the central and eastern regions of the Island. Without his investments, the future of those places was to be closed, or abandoned respectively. Let us calculate the labor force that is no longer found in unemployment statistics. Every triumph of one of ours in sports, means a possibility of investment and new projects on our economies from the liquidity these athletes generate.
In that same line of investment, the Olympic medalist, and Champion of the Diamond League in the 400 meters with fences, Javier Culson, also bought several properties and businesses, investing directly to our economy; money that would not exist if Culson had not been successful in his sport.
During the same weekend, one of Puerto Rico’s pampered, Alfred "Butch" Lee, was recognized in the presentation before one of the most seen events in the United States, and Basketball fans around the world; the NCAA "Final Four", celebrating the 40th anniversary of Butch winning that same competition, and the MVP Award.
Butch was the first player from Latin America to play in the NBA!
Many years before, Juan "Pachin" Vicéns, was named the Best Player in the Planet during the 1964 World Basketball Cup. A few weeks ago, from the Auditorium that bears his name, more people in the world knew where is Ponce, where is Puerto Rico; from Argentina to Colombia ... from Mexico to all the countries that bought the television broadcasting rights (and their viral replicas in social networks) from the Las Americas League of the International Basketball Federation.
The multiplier factor starts immediately with new scouts from universities and many of the professional leagues around the planet looking for us, since they will come to evaluate our talents and resources.
That’s without counting the fans and families behind the players. The impact on our hotels, and their consumption of all the products and services offered by our City; those are measurable, and specifically segmented through Sports Tourism.
Beyond dollars and cents, the achievements of these athletes, individually or collectively, are the ones that not only perpetuate this circle…
THEY RAISE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THEIR SOCIETIES, AND PROVIDE A BETTER ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION TO THOSE AROUND THEM, WITH JUST THREE DEGREES OF SEPARATION.
Surely Alfred "Butch" Lee saw the achievements of Juan "Pachin" VIcéns in his development; and internationally known Carlos Arroyo and JJ Barea, watched and learned from Butch.
Today, there are thousands of children practicing with strength and dedication with the dream of being part of their sports; to be like Carlos or JJ.
Today, for every 1,000 children who wants to be like Arroyo or Barea, at least one will reach a Professional League, 100 will be the first generation of their families to complete a college degree, and more than half will not end up on the streets besieged by drugs and murders because of the discipline and self-esteem generated by their sport.
INVESTING IN SPORTS is a responsibility of the leaders from every society, it is a fundamental part of their entire structure; from children, to the elderly. It is one of the industries that contributes most to our economy, and the one that fulfills its social endeavor the most, hand-in-hand with the teachers and educators.