Basketballs and Building Blocks - Developing Sport and Communities in the Pacific Islands and East Timor

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"In this era of globalization, the Ministers note the need for renewed effort for North-South dialogue and cooperation, and urge donor countries and international financial bodies to recognize sport and physical education as powerful tools for development with a view to reducing the gap between the developed and the developing countries and to provide resources for this through official development assistance programmes."

Declaration of Punta Del Este
Third International Conference of Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for Physical Education and Sport
Punta del Este, Uruguay, 30 November 3 December 1999

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"Sport, in short, is an instrument of understanding among people. It is a vehicle for the education about the world at large. It can be especially powerful in instilling in children and young people values such as respect and tolerance. It is a formidable weapon in the fight against discrimination and violence."

Koffi Annan
United Nations Secretary General

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It is little wonder that most people can tell you which country Vijhay Singh comes from but are ambiguous as to who Laisenia Qarase is, let alone where he comes from. Both men of course, are Fijians. One of them is one of the leading golfers in the world winner of the US PGA Championship in 1998 and the US Masters in 2000. The other is the Prime Minister of Fiji.

Similarly, Haile Gebrselassie and Meles Zenawi are both Ethiopians. One is one of the greatest long distance runners of all time and the other is the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, yet one suspects that the international profile of the former exceeds that of the latter.

This should not be surprising to anyone reading this paper. For sport is a medium that enables small and developing nations to share the international stage with bigger and more developed nations in a way that few institutions can. This exposure subsequently raises their profile. Ethiopia, despite its economic and political situation, is recognised worldwide as one of the greatest athletic nations in the world.

Of course, this is not just a factor for developing nations.

Despite the profile that it engenders for a nation as well as the myriad of benefits that will be discussed later in this paper, sport remains a low priority in the budgets of most of the worlds developing nations. Governments in developing nations face overwhelming pressure to devote scarce resources to traditional tools of poverty alleviation such as health, education and agriculture. Consequently, many developing nations rely on foreign aid and investment for the delivery of sport and physical activity programs. 

This paper will focus on the role of sport in the development of communities in developing nations with a focus on the Oceania region and the worlds newest nation, East Timor. The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, runs sport development programs in 37 countries throughout Southern Africa, the Caribbean, Oceania and Papua New Guinea. The focus of these programs is to contribute to the development of communities through sport.

Many of the concepts discussed in this paper are not new. The role of sport in developing communities and nationhood in all countries (regardless of economic classification) has been well documented and discussed throughout time. Claims have been made and subsequently refuted and it remains one of the most heated topics in the sociology of sport.

This paper does not aim to laud sport as the solution for the problems facing the developing world. It will however, focus on the positive contribution of sport to the development of communities. It will demonstrate the role of sport as an integral and necessary component of an overall aid program geared essentially towards the alleviation of poverty.

Why sport?
The primary role of any aid or development program is the alleviation of poverty and the promotion of national development. To this end, it has been argued, sport has little or no role in donor aid programs.

Such a hypothesis ignores one of the most pertinent characteristics of sport its ability to transcend barriers. Sport is an institution that transcends the barriers of race, religion, gender, age, political persuasion and economic climate.

The benefits of sport and physical education development programs have been well documented, including:

• Significant health benefits;
  
  
• Enormous contribution towards community development;
  
  
• Contribution towards personal development;
  
  
• Educational benefits;
  
  
• Economic benefits;
  
  
• Achieving international recognition; 
  
  
• Generation of national pride 
  
  
• Vehicle for reconciliation;
  
  
• Sport as a tool for social mobility; 
  
  
• Contribution to the breakdown of barriers
  
  
• Sport as a tool for communication

The multi-lateral benefits of sport, makes it arguably the most useful tool in underpinning the broad strategies of national development. Sporting aid programs are relatively cheap and are easily adapted to support educational, health and social welfare objectives.

The benefits of sport and physical education in developing countries
Of course, the benefits of sport are not limited to developing nations. The Australian Government has long recognised the educational, social and economic benefits of sport. In a report presented to the Federal Government as a review of the Commonwealth involvement in sport and recreation in Australia, it was stated that:

The Task Force believes that the Commonwealth Government gets a good return on its investment in sport and recreation and that there are further benefits to be gained from an enhanced role in sport and recreation.

The report goes on to identify a wealth of benefits achieved through the governments investment in sport including: the building of a national identity and national pride, community development and integration, crime prevention, health, education and economic benefits.

Each of these benefits are applicable to the developing world. Regardless, the reality of government investment in sport in developing nations is not likely to engender significant support, given the social and economic pressures being faced by these countries.

Sport and health
The developing world is already paying a high toll to NCDs [Non-Communicable Diseases] (in addition to the toll of communicable diseases): 77% of deaths attributable to NCDs in 1998 occurred in developing countries and 85% of the burden of disease they represent was borne by low and middle income countries.

NCDs which are emerging as major causes of deaths, morbidity and disability worldwide, share a relatively small number of common and preventable risk factors especially the lack of physical activity, tobacco use and unhealthy diet. PA [Physical Activity] provides a direct value and an indirect added value through its beneficial impact on behaviours related to diet and tobacco use.

Of all the functions of sport and physical education in developing nations, that of the promotion and maintenance of health must be the priority . The improvement of the health of a nation is the most significant contribution that sport can make. More importantly however, is that sport and physical education is perhaps the most economical health strategy that a nation can undertake.

The World Health Organisation has identified the following facts: 

• Regular Physical Activity (PA) reduces the risk of dying from Heart Disease (1/3 of global deaths); 
  
  
• Physical Activity reduces the risk of developing heart disease, type II diabetes (90% of world diabetes cases), colon cancer. Evidence suggests also that Physical Activity may probably provide protection against breast cancer; 
  
  
• Physical Activity helps control weight and prevent /reduce hypertension (affecting 20% of the adult world population). Physical Activity helps to reduce osteoporosis; 
  
  
• Physical Activity reduces stress, anxiety and feelings of depression; 
  
  
• Physical Activity enhances functional capacity and independent living in older persons;
  
  
• Physical Activity and Sport for All promote social interaction and contributes to social integration.

Such statistics are of particular relevance to the nations of the Pacific Islands and East Timor. Nauru, located in the northern Pacific Ocean and one of the worlds smallest nations has one of the worlds highest per-capita rates of diabetes. In 1998 East Timor had a life expectancy of just 55 years . Sport and Physical education programs therefore have a crucial role to play in the health of a nations citizens.

Furthermore, it has been argued that a high health standard translates into higher domestic productivity and greater national prosperity and as such, the long-term health effects of sports and physical activity have other far-reaching benefits towards the development of a nation other than the immediate health benefits.

Sport in nation building and reconciliation
Nation building is not about coercing divided people towards a common identity. Rather it is about organising a state that can allow people to live together despite their differences.

Sport extends to wider sections of the population than perhaps any other social activity. It has an unmatched ability to transverse social, educational, ethnic, religious, historical, political and language barriers. Furthermore, it is easily understood, relatively cheap and is easily adapted to support the educational, health and social welfare objectives of a nation.

The triumphant entry of the East Timor delegation in to the Olympic Stadium for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games will forever be remembered as one of the defining moments of the Sydney Olympic Games.

Yet the response within East Timor was even more significant for the citizens of this fledgling nation. In anticipation of this historical event, pictures and posters of East Timors Olympic athletes were displayed throughout the country along with the simple, yet powerful statement Ita mos bele we too can [compete].

How significant this moment was, that less than 12 months after the violence that crippled the nation, East Timor was saying to itself (and, for that matter, to the world) that they too can compete. That despite its problems, East Timor is able to take the world stage and compete against the nations of the world. It was indicative of the optimism and the happiness that belied its economic and social situation.

Individual and team success in sport can foster a sense of belonging and nationhood amongst the people of a country even when perhaps internal divisions are present. A recent study outlined that achievements in sport, particularly in smaller nations, is a significant factor in bringing credit and prestige to a nation, in the eyes of its citizens . With its broad relevance to education, health, culture and politics, sport serves a unique purpose of nation building and assists in fostering national integration.

Sport and international recognition
For young countries such as East Timor and those in the Pacific Islands, trying to establish themselves in the world as nations to be respected and even recognised, sport offers a unique opportunity to take the stage in full view of the world.

Sporting heroes have long been regarded as ambassadors on the world stage, providing a means by which a nation can enhance its credibility and status. Success of athletes is viewed as success of a nation. The success of a nations individuals or teams in sport can not only foster a sense of belonging and nationhood among the peoples of a country, it can also generate a positive, vibrant image and an identity for that nation internationally.

The success of Senegal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup exemplifies the international importance of sporting achievements in the eyes of a nation. Senegal matched the performance of Cameroon at the 1990 World Cup by making the quarter-finals, yet Senegal's performance was even more significant on account of the victory over their formal colonial power France, in the first round of the tournament.

From this first victory, and continuing throughout the remainder of the tournament, the President of Senegal, Mr Abdoulaye Wade was quick to acknowledge the significance of this performance, heralding it as the beginning of a new era for Senegal:

"We have entered the era of the Senegal that wins, in the ballot boxes and on the sports field."

The reference was to the democratic elections of 2000 in Senegal, in which the people of Senegal voted to depose of the incumbent President, Mr Abdou Diouf in favour of Mr Wade - an election that was acknowledged as a model of democracy in Africa.

While not everyone may agree with the correlation between sport and politics, the ramifications and symbolism of Senegals World Cup success can be even simpler, yet just as significant, as midfielder Khalilou Fadiga stated:

"Now everyone can find Senegal on a map. We may have a small country, but we are a great people."

There is an endless list of sporting events and achievements that have fostered a sense of international recognition. The importance of such events is significant to each country.

At the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, the Pacific Island Nation of Tonga was the most successful nation on the basis of the number of medals, per capita, on account of the silver medal won in the Super heavyweight boxing by Paea Wolfgram.

Sport and personal development
Sport and physical activity serves as a tool for the discovery and development of recreation skills. Such skills have a meaningful role to play in developing countries, just as they do elsewhere and as such, they should not be neglected in educational, health and social planning . While the difficulty in empirically ascertaining the benefits of sport on educational and personal development remains a topic of debate amongst sociologists, it has been recognised that participation in sports can be positively associated with a society's desired student outcomes.

Sport and physical education subject children to a variety of tasks, not the least of which the knowledge and understanding of a games rules as well as learning specific movements and skills required to perform a particular task. Such competencies complement those skills that are learnt through the more recognised cognitive education. The development of a child through sport and the arts is unique, offering a more three dimensional education to that of a more stringent pedagogical model.

Similarly, sport and physical education contribute to a child's creative talents. This is of particular significance in developing countries where limited resources available for education, results in a limited curriculum with an emphasis on passing examinations a system that lends itself to the stifled development of a child's inventiveness and individual creativity.

Sport and a nation's economy
Studies undertaken at the international level indicate that every $1million spent on sport and physical activity, generates a saving of $3.2million in national medical costs . A coordinated national sports system provides economic benefits in other areas as well including employment opportunities for administrators and physical education teachers.

The overarching economic benefits of hosting major international events, particularly in developing nations, is an point of ongoing conjecture.  Any analysis of the economic benefits of sport and physical education should go beyond rudimentary economic analysis. Sport and physical education is now a genuine industry in the pacific islands providing employment opportunities in schools, National Olympic Committees, Government Departments and organising committees of major international events.

Some developing countries, particularly in South East Asia, have generated significant export industries in the manufacturing of sporting goods and clothing. There is definite potential for other such countries to establish similar industries - so long as it is done in a controlled and regulated manner .

Sport and physical education in promoting the rights of women
The success of women athletes has contributed significantly to the emancipation of women particularly in those societies in which women have traditionally been discouraged from participating in sport. In fact some multi-ethnic communities have made a concerted effort in using sport to break down prejudices . The strong national recognition that the success of women athletes can bring a country is a motivator for encouraging female participation in sport that has previously been sanctioned.

At the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Nawal El Moutawakel became the first women from an Islamic Nation to win an Olympic Gold medal, when she won the 400m hurdles. She was also the first Moroccan, of either sex, to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Nawals Olympic success brought her widespread recognition throughout her country so much so that the King of Morocco decreed that all girls born on the date of her victory were to be named in her honour.

However, perhaps even more significant was the legacy of her victory and the influence it had on the Moroccan government who recognised the benefits of investing in grass-roots sport for girls as well as boys. The result has been a generation of female Moroccan athletes reaching the pinnacle of international competition including Nezha Bidouane who was the 1997 400m hurdles world champion and Zohra Ouaziz who won the silver medal at the 1999 world championships in the 5000 metres.

The Australian Sports Commission and sport in the Pacific Islands
Sport in Oceania is recognised as a legitimate tool for social development.

At the 32nd meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru in August 2001, the Heads of State and Government and Senior Government Representatives of the member nations, in a landmark motion, recognised the role of sport in the development of the nations in the meeting communique:

The Leaders agreed that sports provide a viable and significant opportunity for the Pacific Island Nations to improve the quality of life for its people through better health, education and particular in stimulating the local economy to create new and varied job opportunities. In addition, sports create pathways for young people of the region to achieve better standards of education and job opportunities abroad, a trend, which will be essential to the future survival of our Island Nations. Sports must therefore continue to retain a significant place in the overall development strategies adopted by the Governments of the Pacific Region

Since 1994, the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has been running a sports development program in the Oceania Region. The Program, initially known as the Australia-South Pacific 2000 (ASP-2000) Sports Program, was extended in 1999 to 2006 and is now known as the Australia-South Pacific 2006 (ASP-2006) Sports Program.

The Australian Sports Commission also runs similar sport development programs in Southern Africa, the Caribbean and Papua New Guinea. All of these programs are funded by the Australian Federal Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian International Aid Agency, AusAID.

In the delivery of the ASP-2006 Program, the ASC works closely with the Federal Governments, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) as well as community and interest groups to devise a program that aims to complement the national development strategies for sport in each of the participating countries.

The countries eligible for assistance under the program are the member countries of the Pacific Islands Forum, namely: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The focus on the program is on capacity building the development of skills and knowledge in the region that will hopefully reduce the dependence of these sporting structures on international assistance. A number of initiatives work towards this goal aimed at all levels of the sporting community from the elite level down through to community and grass-roots sport development.

Initiatives include the Oceania Olympic Training Centre (OOTC) which provides short-term scholarships to elite and potentially athletes, coaches and sports medicine practitioners to train at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS), one of the worlds best elite training centres. Other initiatives include community sport programs for people with a disability and sport education programs aimed at improving the skills of sports administrators and government departments in the delivery of national sports policies.

These initiatives, and others like them, are reciprocated throughout the ASCs international programs worldwide.

Conclusions
Sport and physical activity will always be debatable components of a nations federal budget. A governments commitment to sport will often be weighted against other government objectives such as health and education. Particularly in developing nations, the economic pressures faced by federal governments increases the dependence of these nations on international aid programs.

Sport and physical activity programs should not replace existing aid infrastructure. However, sport and physical education is being more widely recognised as legitimate tool for social development and a necessary component of an overall aid program aimed at alleviating poverty and developing nationhood.

The success of sports development programs is reliant on a governments recognition of the role of sport and physical education and a commitment in terms of policy to that effect. The most successful sport development programs will be those that are delivered in states with sound sport and physical education policies.

An effective and well-delivered sport and physical education program provides numerous benefits to a nation and these benefits are exacerbated in developing countries. The benefits of sport and physical education extend to health, crime prevention, personal development, community development, the breakdown of barriers including the promotion of womens rights and domestic economies. These benefits have been recognised and well documented by academics and organisations such as the Australian Government, the World Health Organisation and the United Nations.

Additional references

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Dollar, David & Pritchett, Lant (World Bank Group). (1998) Assessing Aid: What works, what doesnt and why. World Bank Group

Dunning, Eric. (1999). Sport Matters: Sociological studies of sport, violence and civilisation. Routledge.

Granitsas, Alkman. (2002). Government, not enterprise, promotes sport in Asia: Nationalism in the driving seat. Far Eastern Economic Review. 165 (14): 41.

Rees, Roger. (2001). Character development, moral development and social responsibility in physical education and sport: towards a synthesis of subdisciplinary perspectives. International Journal of Physical Education. 38 (2): 52-59.

Steele, Jonathan. 2002. Nation building in East Timor. World Policy Journal. 19 (2): 76-87

Vesely, Milan. (2002). Goaaaaaal! African Business. 279 (September): 44-45.

Washington, Robert E. & Karen, David. 2001. Sport and Society. Annual Review of Sociology. 27:187-212.

Whaites, Alan. (2002). Spending wisely: making new aid resources work. http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/wvususfo.nsf/stable/globalissues_overseas_spendingwisely/